Peter (Parra) Montgomery

Defending premiers Young Cherrypickers kicked a field goal in the 79th minute to snatch a 23-22 victory over Albury Thunder in the Group 9 Premiership match played at Greenfield Park on Sunday.

The field goal, booted by Cherrypickers halfback Rob Roberts, came in the next set following a missed shot by Thunder’s Paul Kariatiana at the other end of the Park.

The sides were evenly matched going try for try until the dying moments.

Despite the loss, the Thunder was able to wrest the Group 9 Challenge Cup from the Cherrypickers, by virtue of ten and half points handicap start allocated under the conditions of the Cup.

The first defence will be held on Sunday July 19, against Wagga Brothers in Geohex Stadium Wagga – the next round to be played after a General Bye next weekend.

The loss on Sunday has placed the Thunder in a precarious position in the race to the finals.

The loss to the Premiers has the Thunder dropping to sixth position on the ladder, and it cannot afford to lose many more if it wants to play in the finals.

The thing the Thunder has going for it, at the moment, is the depth the Club has in its ranks. Players can be moved between grades, and be relied upon to do “the job” of the player replaced.

Several ‘junior’ players have had the opportunity to ‘debut’ in 2025 – and all have justified the faith put in them by the Club.

Eric Tui was given an opportunity in Senior Grade on Sunday, and he handled the task with ease, and repaid the faith shown in him with a polished ‘cameo’

Winger Milton Amaiu scored two tries – one in each half – and knows his way to the tryline, and reserve grade wingers Kitione Seruisavou and Riley George could not have been more impressive in that grades 40-0 victory to remain unbeaten.

The form of Thunder props Nathan Darby and Isaac Carpenter held up well in comparison to the much vaunted opponents Tom Giles and Jake Hogan.

I thought both Darby and Carpenter had their best games of the season – both getting involved in the heavy ‘lifting’.

Thunder opened the scoring with Amaiu on the end of a passing rush involving half back Oscar Kaufononga and Vili Cerei, before Cerei got outside of his man, and put Amaiu over in the corner untouched. Lachlan Hampton added the extras with a conversion from touch.

Young hit back seven minutes later with Matt Murray over out wide, but the conversion attempt was wide, Thunder led 6-4.

The lead was extended to 12-4 with Hampton latching onto a lobbed pass from Lachie Munro to race over in the corner and then picked up the extras with a booming goal from touch. Thunder led 12-4.

Giles got the Premiers closer to the Thunder with a typical try, scored from a charge close to the line.  Everyone knows how he operates, but no-one can stop him!!!.

He has scored 12 tries so far this season. All the same way. Get the ball close to the line, back into the defence and bullock his way over. 

His try and the conversion had Young trailing 12-10 at the break.

Eight minutes into the second half, Roberts put the Pickers in front for the first time, dummying his way over and converting the try to put his side ahead 16-12.

Thunder hit back with the mercurial Vili Cerei over for a try to level the scores up at 16 all, and then Andrew Smith put a neat kick through for Amaiu to touch down for his second of the match.

Sebastian Nelson added the extras to put Thunder ahead 22-16 with fifteen minutes left.

Play became frantic as each side sought out a match winner.

Andrew Smith and Paul Karitiana went close but were cut down by last ditch defence. It was the visitors who managed to crack the defence.

Centre Josh Noakes slipped through a gap to score to level the match at 22 all.

With ninety seconds left on the clock, Kariatiana had a shot at field goal to win the game, but the kick was wide, giving the Premiers a seven tackle set to pull the match out of the fire.  They worked play down field and on the last play, Roberts steadied himself and calmly potted the one-pointer to snatch the win.

BEST FOR THUNDER – Vili Cerei, Isaac Carpenter, Nathan Darby, Andrew Smith

BEST FOR YOUNG – Max Jones,Charlie Corcoran, Tom Giles, Kai Parker

YOUNG CHERRYPICKERS 23 (Tom Giles, Matt Murray, Rob Roberts, Josh Noakes tries, Roberts 3 goals, 1 field goal) defeated ALBURY THUNDER 22 (Milton Amaiu 2, Vili Cerei, Lachlan Hampton tries Hampton 2, Sebastian Nelson 1 goals)