Young Cherrypickers were kept scoreless against finals bound Albury Thunder on Sunday.
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The home team scored five tries, including two 50m plus efforts in an enterprising display.
Young went into the match on the back of an upset win over Southcity and a spirited display against now competition leaders Tumut, but the visitors couldn't breach the defensive line.
At one stage early in the second half, the Cherrypickers spent eight minutes camped on Thunder's line.
Thunder absorbed the pressure and then hit back when nuggety halfback Robbie Byatt produced a chip kick on the halfway line with Purtell kicking the ball off the ground twice to dive over.
Results of other games means positions four and five are locked up so Thunder will host Wagga Brothers on Saturday, August 24 in an elimination final.
It will be the club's first final since losing to Junee in 2016.
Young returns to Alfred Oval this weekend to host Cootamundra Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs will be fired up after securing their first win of the season over Temora Dragons over the weekend.
In the lower grades over the weekend, Young suffered a 22-12 loss to Thunder in league tag, under 19s edged Thunder 28-24 and 17s were too good for Albury winning 28-18.
Reserve grade enjoyed a 20-6 win.
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