Paying homage to his players, Branighan declared Young’s 28-24 victory over the Bulldogs as “the best” in his time at the club.

“It was a massive win,” Branighan said on Saturday.

“Absolutely massive.

“It’s the best since I’ve been here.”

Branighan’s emotional tribute followed a success built around raw determination and courage.

In a remarkable performance, the Cherrypickers recovered from a double injury blow during the game to hold out the Bulldogs in a gripping finish.

Returning after a fortnight off with a calf muscle injury, Branighan was the first casualty, forced to retire in the 30th minute with a recurrence of the leg problem.

The loss of the star playmaker was aggravated minutes into the second half when barnstorming Young lock Matt Wakefield sustained a hamstring injury.

Left without the skipper and the potent forward, Young was seriously vulnerable, but refused to crumble.

After leading 18-nil midway through the first half, and 18-6 at half-time, the Cherrypickers roared out to a 28-6 advantage before the Bulldogs came storming back.

As Wakefield and Branighan watched from the bench, Cootamundra snatched the last three tries but fell short of the mark.

Starved of possession in the second half, Young defended grimly and survived in heroic fashion.

For the Cherrypickers, the triumph had its great reward, lifting the team into the top five for the first time in three months.

Young headed into the game in sixth position on the table, but emerged in fifth place with four games to play.

Veteran forward Nick Hall turned back the clock to play a formidable role in Young’s victory.

“Nick played the full 80 minutes,” Branighan said.

“He had a great game.”

Hall scored a telling try as Young raced ahead before leading the defensive charge as the team held out at the end.

Englishman Neil Thorman, Tui Samoa and Jake Dawe were also outstanding for the winners, with youthful halfback Matt Murray also winning acclaim.

Thorman’s guile was invaluable when Branighan left the ground, while Samoa was brilliant in attack and Dawe superb in defence.

Branighan, meantime, admits he faces an uncertain future because of his injury.

“You can’t run with a calf injury,” he said.

“It means you can’t play.”

Likewise, Wakefield’s hamstring is a savage blow to the team as he has been in devastating form.

Branighan said defence was ultimately the cornerstone of the win.

“We had to do a stack of defending,” he said.

Full-time: YOUNG 28 (M Wakefield 2, T Samoa, M Murray, N Hall tries; L Branighan 3, M Murray goals) d COOTAMUNDRA 24 (J Ballard 2, B Warner, T Bush tries; A Byrne 4 goals) at Alfred Oval. Scrums: 7-7.