Peter (Parra) Montgomery 

The Albury Thunder’s First Grade team kept its Group 9 Rugby League finals hopes alive recording a 28-6 win over Cootamundra Bulldogs at Greenfield Park on Sunday. 

In a good day for the Club, the unbeaten Reserve Grade team kept its record in tact, posting another ‘shut out’ in recording a 34-0 victory over the Bulldogs; the Under 18 team jumped Junee Diesels on the ladder and moved into ‘the top five’ with a hard fought 22-18 over fourth placed Cootamundra. 

The only team to go down on the day was the League Tag team, which put up a good challenge against fourth placed team only to fail narrowly, being beaten 12-6 after a determined effort. 

First Grade Match Report

The match between Thunder and Cootamundra was played in wet conditions, drizzling rain for much of the contest. 

It took 16 minutes for the Thunder to post first points, with the Bulldogs producing some stirring defence and strong running with the ball. 

Clever five-eight Paul Kariatiana opened the scoring for Thunder, finishing off a charge by Darby which took play close to the Cootamundra line, and then dancing his way over untouched. 

Vili Cerei added the extras to give the Thunder a 6-0 lead. 

Nikola Sovatabua and Faaffetai Vaavale in the Bulldog forward pack made many charges into the Thunder defensive line, making the home team scramble to hold the fort. 

Nathan Darby, Hugh Duncan and Blake Grounds were looking good for the Thunder, putting the pressure back to the visitors, with strong carries. 

Rea Lafai, playing on the right edge, started to create opportunities and set Isaac Carpenter up for a solid charge into the defence. 

Following one such charge, Kariatiana set up a special try for winger Kitione Seruisavou. Running the ball on the last tackle, the talented pivot kicked the ball over the try line, and the winger chasing through, produced a spectacular dive and scored an amazing try. 

Conversion attempt was wide but Thunder led 10-0 and looked comfortable after twenty minutes. 

The Bulldogs were starting to drop the ball when in possession, and Thunder was quick to capitalise. 

It was that man “Special K’ who again engineered the next try five minutes out from half time. Another clever kick behind the defence was picked up by Joshua Sharp, who sent onto Vili Cerei, who put rookie Ryley Ivanku over for his first try in senior football. 

The youngster enjoyed the occasion, splashing down in the corner with a swan dive, much to the enjoyment of his team-mates who joined in the celebration. 

Coming into half time Cootamundra launched an attack and went close to scoring, but the Thunder defence led by Osika Kaufononga was tremendous, and held the attack out.

Isaac Carpenter started making inroads ito the defence giving the fans an ‘input’ of what to expect after the break. Thunder led 14-0 at the end of the first session. 

Play was tight on resumption of play. Cootamundra kept directing play through the middle and were getting good value from its two big forwards Vaavale and Sovatabua, while half back Joe Ward was busy. 

Thunder scored two more tries on the resumption of play. Kitione was on the end of some good attacking play by Sebastian Nelson, and Jack Harris scored a beauty – finishing off wonderful break created by Cerei, onto winger Milton Amaiu, before Harris loomed up on the inside and raced 50 metres to score a memorable try. 

The Thunder completed its scoring with Carpenter crashing his way over under the sticks to wrap up play. 

Bulldogs try was scored by Vaavale – he had a terrific game, and competed for the full 80 minutes. 

The First Grade playoff picture

A depleted First Grade team fought hard to record a 28-6 victory, and retain its sixth position on the ladder with three rounds to go until the final series begins. 

The Thunder sit two points out of the ‘top five’ behind Premiers Young Cherrypickers which again produced a ‘houdini trick’ to get up and defeat Gundagai Tigers 22-20. 

The Premiers have been involved in several close matches during the season, and have managed to use the ‘get out of gaol’ card against the Thunder (won with last minute field goal 23-22), a narrow win over Cootamundra 28-22, and a try three minutes from full time to snatch victory from Gundagai Tigers 22-30. 

Previous to those narrow wins, the Cherrypickers were pipped on the bell by Junee Diesels 30-28, by Temora Dragons 24-22; by Wagga Kangaroos 18-16; and Tumut Blues 22-18. 

The Premiers have been knocked about with injury, but are getting players back at the right end of the season. 

The Premiers have three rounds to consolidate its position in the top five. Matches against South City Bulls (away) followed by two home matches, – versus Junee Diesels, and finishing off with Temora Dragons. 

Thunder three finals matches include Gundagai Tigers (away) South City Bulls (home) and Junee Diesels (away). 

Tumut Blues currently in fourth position on 17 points, has a tough run, with three away games against Junee, Temora and Wagga Kangaroos.

The other teams below the Thunder in sixth spot, cannot accumulate enough points to qualify for the finals. 

Results

BEST FOR THUNDER – Paul Kariatiana, Vili Cerei, Nathan Darby, Hugh Duncan, Oskia Kaufononga. 

BEST FOR COOTAMUNDRA – Vaavale and Sovatabua, Sam Gash, Joseph Ward 

ALBURY THUNDER 28 (Kitione Seruisavou 2, Riley Ivanku, Jack Harris, Isaac Carpenter, Paul Kariatiana tries Vili Cerei 1, Oskia Kaufononga 1 goals) Defeated Cootamundra Bulldogs 6 (Faafetai Vaavale try Sam Gash 1 goal)