Young Cherrypickers fell just short of spoiling the party for Junee Diesels last Saturday, relinquishing a lead in the final 10 minutes of play to go down 24-16.
The Diesels were holding a triple premiership reunion from 1986 along with their Centenary of Rugby League celebrations in conjunction with the Round 12 matches at Laurie Daley Oval and for a long while it looked as though Young would leave victors in the First Grade match.
Cooper Smith, Boro Navori and Jonah Latu had all crossed for four-pointers to give the Cherrypickers a handy lead throughout, but a few ‘questionable calls’, as described by Young coach Dan Barclay, led to Junee being able to strike back after the Pickers were denied multiple tries which Barclay believed would have wrapped the game up for the visitors.
“The opportunities were there for us to win it and run away with it. Unfortunately, the ’50/50′ calls didn’t go our way with two questionable forward pass calls at critical moments in the game, denying tries that would have allowed us to ensure victory.” Barclay said.
“As a team, we need to capitalise on the opportunities we earn. If one of the three disallowed tries are awarded, it changes the context of the game and the mindset of the opposition. We must ice those moments to be in the fight with Temora and Gundagai.” Barclay further continued.
Smith was again outstanding for Young in his first year of senior football and seems to be making a home of the left centre position, while both Kane Ball and Jake Kambos being back on the field and combining will only mean positive outcomes for the Pickers. Others to shine for Young included the always strong Navori, with Latu dominant through the middle and leading a forward pack that was missing both inspirational leader Jayke Hogan and Aaron Slater.
After falling to Temora the weekend before in only their second loss for 2026, the Cherrypickers have now lost back to back games but have a chance to get back to winning ways this Saturday when they host the Tumut Blues at Alfred Oval, in Young.
Although on paper the home side should win and win well, the last meeting between the two sides resulted in a 28-all draw and no doubt that alone will give the visitors from the Snowy Valleys some added confidence as they look to upset their more fancied opponents.
Whilst disappointed at last weekend’s result, Barclay admitted when things don’t go to plan, his troops need to react better.
“At the end of the day, we must be better in adversity. The competition is that close and credit to Junee finding a way on their big day. Well done to them on 100 years of contributing to our great game.”
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