Young Cherrypickers showed good composure in Round 12 of the Group 9 competition coming from behind to defeat the Tumut Blues 42-18 at Twickenham last weekend.
Traditionally one of the most challenging road trips in the competition, an undermanned Tumut showed some life, with the premiers leading 12-4 in the first half.
The Cherrypickers saw their big forward pack, led by skipper Tom Giles and the hard-working pair of Gus Smith and Che Hislop, make the crucial difference.
Their collective effort in the middle led to a surge in points in the second half, securing victory.
Jake Kambos, Nic Hall, and Jahnayah Freeman starred with doubles, and the top-of-the-table Young put the exclamation mark on what has been an excellent season to date.
It was Young’s third win in succession following their 18-14 loss to Temora in Round Nine - their only defeat so far.
Young is at home on Sunday taking on the struggling Wagga Brothers in their Round 13 match at Alfred Oval before a run home to finals that includes mouth-watering matches against Gundagai in Round 14, Albury in Round 15, Wagga Kangaroos in Round 17, and Temora in Round 18.
In another big Round 13 fixture, Albury wants to keep their season alive despite a tough trip to Wagga to face the Kangaroos at McDonald’s Park.
The Thunder kept their hopes of a top-five finish alive with a 24-10 win over Southcity in Round 11 before a timely bye in Round 12.
Still, it will be difficult for Albury, who will face the competition's form team.
The third-placed Kangaroos have won four on the trot, including a decisive 23-16 win over the Tigers at Gundagai’s Anzac Park on Sunday.
The match of the round could be in Gundagai on Sunday, with the Tigers hosting the Temora Dragons in what could have implications for the finals.
The Dragons have won four games in a row and sit in second, just one competition point behind the Young Cherrypickers.
On the other hand, Gundagai is in fourth position but will be without Royce Tout as they look to continue a good season and stay in the race for a top-three finish.
At the other end of the table, Junee is looking to get off the bottom when hosting the injury-riddled Tumut Blues at Laurie Daley Oval on Saturday.
Junee pushed Southcity in Round 12 only to lose 36-34. They play a Tumut side without Lewis Arragon with a fitness cloud also over Zac Masters.
Click here for the Group 9 ladder, draw, and results.
