The Tumut Blues made a statement in the opening weekend of the 2023 Group 9 finals, defeating Wagga Kangaroos 30-10 in their Qualifying final at McDonald's Park on Sunday.
The Blues engine room led by Michael Fenn, Jacob Sturt, and a returning Zac Masters, proved too much for the Kangaroos with Tumut's forwards having a hand in most of the tries.
Despite Tumut's dominance Kangaroos were on the front foot early with a Nathan Rose bomb caught by Jacob Mascini, who flicked a pass back inside to Rose before he stepped his way to the try line near the uprights.
Latrell Siegwalt slotted the easy conversion and Wagga led 6-0 after five minutes.
Following points, the Kangaroos did the unthinkable and made a mistake coming out of trouble, gifting Tumut excellent attacking field position.
The Blues didn't need a second invitation and a barnstorming Jacob Sturt galloped through the defence to score.
Lachlan Bristow converted and the scores were level after nine minutes.
Tumut rolled downfield, with Robbie Byatt getting his side on the front foot with a good carry.
In good field position, the Blues swung the ball right with the Steeden going through multiple sets of hands before winger Billy Bridgman went over untouched on the right edge.
Bristow nailed the conversion from the right touchline and Tumut were ahead (12-6).
After the no-holds-barred beginning, both sides got into the grind as the two physical packs battled in the middle third of the field.
After 20 minutes, both teams appeared to be out of juice and waiting for their second winds to kick in.
For Tumut, Dean Bristow added a bit of spark from acting half with a couple of scoots putting the Kangaroos under pressure in and around the ruck.
Two forwards combined to take Tumut further ahead, with Jacob Sturt forcing his way through the Roos defence before he got a hand free for an off-load to Michael Fenn, who scored to the left of the posts.
Bristow converted and Tumut led 18-6 after 28 minutes of play.
Again, using their big men nicely, Lachlan Bristow gratefully accepted an off-load with and the reigning Weissel Medallist crossed on the left edge.
Bristow, again on target, slotted the conversion, and Tumut led 24-6, which remained the halftime score.
Tumut picked up where they left off in the first half, with Sturt scoring in the opening set for the Blues to jump to 30-6 after 42 minutes.
As impressive as their attack was, Tumut's defence was better.
The Kangaroos enjoyed a myriad of attacking opportunities in Tumut's half and were camped on the Blues line on several occasions, but the home side couldn't convert their chances.
The Kangaroos scored a consolation try late in the game with a slick right-side play putting Charlie Barton in down the right touchline (30-10).
Tumut will now prepare to play Minor Premiers Temora in Sunday's Major Semi-final at Nixon Park.
The Kangaroos live to fight another day and will take on the Young Cherrypickers in Saturday's Minor Semi-final at Albury’s Greenfield.
The Cherrypickers won their way into the match with a dominant 28-14 victory over the Albury Thunder in their Elimination final at Alfred Oval on Saturday.
Click here for Group 9 results.
