Peter (Parra) Montgomery
Albury Thunder Reserve Grade side won its way into the Group 9 Reserve Grade Grand Final with a hard fought 16-4 victory over a gallant Gundagai Tigers team at Geohex Stadium Wagga on Sunday.
The win continued the undefeated run of the Thunder team, but it was not all one way traffic for the minor premiers.
A feature of the Thunder’s performance was the quality of work put in by all players – especially in defence. Several try scoring opportunities were thwarted by last ditch tackles. All players were prepared to put their bodies on the line.
It has been a feature of this team’s effort all year, and the main reason why the side has conceded just 17 tries (in 17 matches) this season
The Thunder had to work hard in the opening half to take a 4-0 lead into the half time break after working hard in defence.
The Thunder opened the scoring after seven minutes when dynamic centre Crete Waaka combined with winger Ryley George to create an opening for George, before he slipped through and passed back for Waaka to race over for the first try.
The ball handling of the Thunder was excellent in the first part of the half, and the team was able to control possession for long periods.
It was during this time that the leadership of coach Smith shone through. He worked his big forwards Calvin Tautari, Eli Tipene and Connor Mcaleer very well and they were able to shut down attacking raids by the Tigers.
The Tigers speedy outside back Ponipate Qoi, actually crossed the Thunder’ line twice in the first half, only to be called back with the final passes ruled forward.
Thunder started the second half full of running.
Brodie Ford was creating opportunities for his team-mates with his bullocking style of play, proving to be a handful to his opposite with his bulk and ability to off load in traffic.
He paved the way for Bailey Muras with a strong run down the touchline, before throwing a basketball style pass to his brother Keiran backing up.
Muras has the ‘ability’ to be at the right spot at the right time. His work rate is high – he is never far from the ball.
Keiran found Crete Waaka and Aiden Young in support, and both players went close to scoring only to be stopped by strong defence.
Andrew Smith moved into dummy half and set up Muras, who ran a good line, over under the black dot. The try scored by Bailey was his tenth of the year.
Jade Dureaux had no trouble converting and the Thunder led 10-0.
The try ignited the Thunder attack, and with the Ford brothers stepping up, they started to find holes in the Tigers defence.
Almost straight away, the Thunder posted “ back to back “tries
Keiran Ford, who has been a consistent performer all season, was rewarded with a neat individual try, again started with a strong run by brother Brodie, who combined with Joe Hill, who sent a good pass back to Ford who raced away to score next to the post for a 16-0 lead.
Gundagai posted a consolation try with four minutes to go, with winger Qoi collecting a cross kick by half back Tarron Makeham, and diving over in the corner for the TIgers only points of the match.
The Thunder will now play the winner of next week’s preliminary final between Gundagai and Wagga Kangaroos in the Grand Final to determine the premiership winner.
BEST FOR THUNDER – Andrew Smith, Crete Waaka, Aiden Young, Ryley George, Brodie Ford
BEST FOR GUNDAGAI TIGERS – Kyle Ramage, Tallon Makeham, Ponipate Qoi
ALBURY THUNDER – 16 (Bailey Muras, Keiran Ford, Crete Waaka tries Jade Duroux 2 goals) defeated GUNDAGAI TIGERS 4 (Ponipate Qia try)
