By Peter (Parra) Montgomery

The Albury Thunder Rugby League Club turned on the style in front of its loyal
sponsors, winning all three grades in impressive fashion — and not just winning, but winning convincingly.

The Thunder’s First Grade side moved within striking distance of a top-five
spot on the Group 9 ladder with a convincing 44-26 win over the Tumut Blues at
Greenfield Park on Saturday.

The win also secured Thunder the Group 9 Challenge Cup, thanks to their
5.5-point head start under the Challenge rules. The Cup — which carries a $1,000 prize — stays with Thunder until they lose a Challenge match. The points start for next week’s Challenge will be determined during the week.

The match turned dramatically in the ten minutes before halftime, when Thunder scored four tries to flip a 10-6 deficit into a commanding 28-10 halftime lead.

The spree began with edge forward Braeden Stephens pouncing on a loose ball
after halfback Osika Kaufononga’s grubber slipped past Tumut defenders, giving
Thunder a 12-10 lead.

Moments later, brilliant fullback Lachie Munro caught a Paul Karitiana bomb on the full and delivered an overhead pass to unmarked winger Lachlan Hampton, who dived over in the corner.

Andrew Smith, replacing Blake Grounds before halftime, injected energy from
dummy half, combining well with Munro to keep the pressure on. A quick play-the-ball allowed workhorse lock Clayton Coulay to crash over just before the
break.

In a highlight that will be a contender for ‘Try of the Year’, Vili Cerei took a quick tap 30 metres out, surged to the defensive line, chipped ahead, and after a deft follow-up kick from Kaufononga, regathered to score a sensational try. Jade Duroux converted to send Thunder to the sheds up 28-10.

Thunder’s squad depth has become a key strength in 2025, with quality
replacements stepping up without weakening the side.

The forwards’ size and skill have been used to great advantage, adding depth to selection options.

Blake Grounds has been a standout all season, but faces pressure from Keiran
Ford, Bailey Muras, and Andrew Smith to maintain his form.

Quiet achievers Hugh Duncan and Clayton Couley continue to work tirelessly, while Braeden Stephens impressed with his high work rate on Saturday.

The “Lachies at the back” — Munro and Hampton — have enjoyed superb
seasons, always appearing at the right time.

Hampton leads Thunder’s try-scoring with nine in seven games, while Munro has six, many at crucial moments.

Big Sebastian Nelson is also hitting form, forming a lethal left-edge
combination with Hampton.

Vili Cerei has been a brilliant addition, his lightning pace and creativity adding
spark to the backline, as highlighted by his stunning try before halftime.

The halves pairing of Paul Karitiana and Osika Kaufononga has been a revelation, with Karitiana’s astute kicking game and Kaufononga’s toughness and attacking vision giving Thunder plenty of options. When Kaufononga hits in defence, opponents stay hit.

Winger Jade Duroux continues to be a reliable finisher and boasts a strong
conversion percentage.

All signs point to an exciting future for the Thunder Club.

FIRST GRADE RESULT: ALBURY THUNDER 44 (Lachlan Hampton 2, Vili Cerei 2, Isaac Carpenter, Clayton Couley, Braeden Stephens, Jade Dureaux tries; Dureaux 6 goals) defeated TUMUT BLUES 26 (Callum Rossiter, Malik Aitken, Trae King, Angus Williams, Bayley Maher tries; C. Rossiter 3 goals).

Reserve Grade

The Reserve Grade team maintained its unbeaten run at the top of the ladder with a strong 28-10 victory over fourth-placed Tumut.

Tumut opened the scoring through lively hooker Ben Hamstead, who darted over in the sixth minute after some soft defence.

But soon after, Ty Tindalevale responded for Thunder, followed by a powerful try from big prop Sam Paulo
Faitasi.

The forwards laid a solid platform, with strong running from the Ford brothers
and fullback Crete Waaka leading to a try from impressive winger Kitione Seruisavou.

Kitione looked sharp in attack, his hard running making him a
valuable addition to an already potent backline.

Crete Waaka was everywhere, scoring two tries himself and setting up several
others with his involvement in attack. Noah Stead continued his good form,
breaking through flimsy defence to score and then setting up Waaka’s second try.

BEST FOR THUNDER: Crete Waaka, Keiran Ford, Ryley George, Connor Macaleer,
Brodie Ford.

BEST FOR TUMUT: Ben Hamstead, Adam Beaver, Josh Smith, Gus Williams.

RESERVE GRADE RESULT: ALBURY THUNDER 28 (Crete Waaka 2, Ty Tyndervale, Sam Paulo Faitasi, Kitione Seruisavou, Noah Stead tries; Keiran Ford, Crete Waaka goals) defeated TUMUT BLUES 10 (Ben Hamstead, Adam Beaver tries; Flynn Piper-Bye goal).

Under 18s

The day began with an excellent performance from the Under 18s, who continued their strong mid-season form by toppling the Tumut Blues 30-18. It was their third win from the past four games, the only blemish being a narrow two-point loss to unbeaten leaders Wagga Kangaroos last week.

The victory over Tumut also reversed their first-round 14-10 defeat at Twickenham Oval, moving Thunder into fifth on the ladder and putting them in a strong position to challenge for a finals spot.

The 18s have shown marked improvement as the season has progressed, with
several players now producing consistent form. Eric Tui, Riley Ivanku, and Nate
Broekman have been strong all year, while rookie prop Rob Kelson has begun to
shine, rewarded with a try against Tumut for his tireless efforts in the forward
pack.

UNDER 18s RESULT:
ALBURY THUNDER 30 (Eric Tui 2, Rob Kelson, Lika Higoe, Jordan Ercegovic,
Riley Ivanku tries; Nate Broekman 3 goals) defeated TUMUT BLUES 18 (Toby
French 2, Billy Salmon, Max Beaven tries; Braith Winner goal).