The First Grade Cherrypickers made a statement on Sunday as they piled 62 points on the inferior Tumut Blues just weeks out from the Group Nine finals.
While captain-coach Neil Thorman described the win as “a bit scrappy”, he said it was a positive outcome heading into next weekend’s match against Junee.
“We lowered ourselves to [Tumut’s] standard,” he said.
“We went into the game knowing we were capable of getting a win but we were too relaxed and too confident at times.”
Thorman said Young picked up their game in second half where they put 40 points on the Blues. He put this down to a higher completion rate and stronger defence.
‘Pickers lock, Haydn Cowled, was named players player and listed in Group Nine’s Team of the Week for his performance in which he scored his first try of the season. Sam Langford was also a standout for Young.
“It was nice to see he got his first try of the year and it came in twos,” Thorman said. “He earned it with his try-saving tackles and his work rate was outstanding.”
Young will now prepare for Round 18 against Junee who suffered a huge loss at the hands of Albury on Sunday.
“To win the finals you need to beat the teams in the top five and they didn’t do that against Albury, so we might be hitting them at just the right time,” Thorman said.
