The Tumut Blues made history last weekend, when they defeated Wagga Brothers 10-6 in their Group 9 Round 15 League Tag fixture at Twickenham.
Brothers have long been a juggernaut of the Group 9 competition. Since the League Tag’s inception in 2008, the Wagga side has won eight grand finals.
During that period, Tumut could not topple Brothers, but that all changed this year as the Blues put in a defensive effort for the ages, when defeating Brothers for the first time in 16 years.
Despite the Brethren boasting a lion share of possession in the early stages, they could only score once with Maisie Freemantle crossing on Tumut’s right edge. Brooke Wiggett converted, and the visitors led 6-0.
Tumut hit back when try-scoring machine Sharlie Thomas opened Wagga’s defence up.
The young speedster split the defence and sprinted away for a good try to the left of the posts.
Brigid Rhynehart missed the conversion attempt, and leading into half time, Brothers led 6-4.
It was a second-half stalemate. Taylah Wilson, Chelsea Angus, and Julia Day worked hard in defence for Tumut, while Madison Dunn and Brooke Wiggett were Wagga’s best.
Brothers were hampered when Sarah Carter was sin-binned for dissent, but they held strong and kept Tumut out during a challenging ten-minute period.
Despite Carter returning to the field, the pressure eventually told, and an electric Julia Day split the line and streaked away for the game-winning try.
Rhynehart slotted the conversion attempt, and Tumut held on for arguably the biggest win in their history, triumphing 10-6.
With a favourable run home, the fifth-placed Tumut outfit is in an excellent position to qualify for finals, and based last week’s win, they’ll give the competition a real shake.
In other Round 15 results, Junee defeated Gundagai 16-10 at Laurie Daley Oval; Kangaroos were too good for Southcity in the Wagga derby, winning 28-8 at McDonald’s Park.
Albury also won, defeating the Young Cherrypickers 14-0 in their match at Alfred Oval.
The Group 9 competition goes into recess this weekend for the Riverina Schoolboys Carnival, one of the largest Rugby League gatherings in the country.
Click here for all Group 9 ladders, draws, and recent results.
