The Young Cherrypickers pulled off a stunning upset this past Sunday at Alfred Oval, defeating the highly-fancied Gundagai Tigers 22-20 in a nail-biting encounter that showcased the young side’s incredible resilience. The local crowd was treated to a thrilling display of rugby league, with the lead changing hands multiple times throughout the 80 minutes.
The Tigers were quick to assert their dominance early on. Just seven minutes in, Wilson Hamblin crossed the try line, followed by Meli Drau’s quick double in the 21st and 29th minutes, showcasing Gundagai’s early attacking prowess. James Morgan added another for Gundagai in the 35th minute, giving them a significant boost before halftime, with Will Herring successfully converting two of their four tries.
However, the Cherrypickers were not to be outdone on their home turf. CJ Hill got Young on the scoreboard in the 12th minute, offering a glimmer of hope. As the game wore on, the Cherrypickers found their rhythm, with Che Hyslop touching down in the 33rd minute, keeping Young within striking distance.
The second half truly belonged to the Cherrypickers’ determination. Tom Demeio not only scored a crucial try in the 61st minute but also proved instrumental with his boot, successfully converting three of Young’s four tries. The tension was palpable as the clock wound down, and it was Nyah Freeman who emerged as the hero for the Cherrypickers, scoring the match-winning try in the 77th minute, sending the Alfred Oval faithful into a frenzy.
Cherrypickers President Andrew Smith was full of praise for his team’s performance. “Gundagai are a terrific side, who we owed a loss to after earlier in the year,” Smith said, referencing an earlier defeat. “Once again, I thought we showed great determination to give away a start early and be able to run them down.”
Smith acknowledged his team’s habit of giving away early leads. “Whilst the boys will celebrate this win and rightfully so, it’s something that we’ve probably made too much of a habit of doing this year [giving away starts], but when you get a win against a quality team like that, you don’t worry about the details of it too much.”
Smith highlighted the team’s collective effort but reserved special mention for one player. “It’s hard to pick a best on ground, I thought they were all excellent,” he stated. “Special mention should go to Nyah though, to come back this year after a short spell with the boots hung up and score that big of a try just shows his quality.” Nyah’s crucial try proved to be a turning point, underscoring the potential and determination within the young Cherrypickers squad.
This victory not only demonstrates the Cherrypickers’ fighting spirit but also serves as a testament to the exciting talent emerging within the team. They will undoubtedly carry this momentum forward, eager to build on their impressive performance against a top-tier opponent.
Tully Potts SWST Sports Editor