Tallon Smith

After a loss and a draw in their last two starts, the Wangaratta Knights returned to the winners’ circle with a 24-8 victory over the Tumbarumba Greens at the Tumbarumba Showground on Sunday.

A double to hooker Stephen Petersen accounted for two of Wangaratta’s five tries, as the Knights maintained their leadership of the competition after four rounds, although the side has played an extra game in the form of the standalone season opener against Corowa.

Following the round two loss to Albury Muddogs and last week’s draw with Wodonga, Wangaratta coach Scott Miller said it was pleasing to take the points on the road on Sunday.

“It was great to get back on track with the win over Tumba this week,” he said. 

“It was our first win over them and I was really proud of the boys to have been able to travel and beat them at home. 

“Tumba really brought the game to us, and had some strong returning players, however I was impressed by the control our boys kept over the tempo.”

In terms of who impressed him in the win, Miller said Petersen was a standout amongst a number of good performers.

“Stephen had a standout game, getting those tries from the ruck with quick plays of the ball, and diving for the line,” he said.

“He reads the game well, and makes good decisions. 

“He brought a lot of players into the game, and we had a big spread of strong performances.”

In the earlier games, the Albury Muddogs returned to form with a 38-18 victory over the Corowa Cougars, while the Border Bears took out the top of the table local derby clash with the Wodonga Wombats 16-12.

After initially being announced as unavailable for the game, Bears prop Cameron Miller again found himself on the scoresheet, joining Calvin Young and Jacob Campbell as tryscorers for the Border club in the win.

Meanwhile, in the women’s competition, Tumbarumba made it two straight wins after consecutive forfeits to start the year with a 22-6 victory over the Knights.

Tries to Tori-Lee Hincksman, Mackenzie Morton, Maddy McPherson, Brianna McAuliffe and Molly Crane secured the 16-point win, which could have been even greater if not for some wayward goalkicking.

Other results saw the Albury Muddogs complete a 30-0 shutout of Corowa, and the Wodonga Wombats assume sole leadership of the competition after defeating the Border Bears 24-10 in a top of the table clash.

This coming weekend will see only two games played, with Corowa and Wangaratta’s aforementioned Anzac Weekend fixture taken from this round.

The opening match will see the Albury Muddogs face the Wodonga Wombats, before the Border Bears host Tumbarumba, with the main men’s game set to start at 3:15pm.