THE Albury-Wodonga Steamers will go into their grand final rematch against Wagga Waratahs next weekend knowing top spot will be on the line.
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The defending premiers dispatched another finals hopeful with a 41-14 demolition of CSU in the first game after the competition was split into two divisions at the end of the first round.
The ladder-leading Waratahs, meanwhile, suffered a shock loss to Griffith to allow the Steamers within striking distance.
Steamer Blake Le Cornu’s kicking proved vital in the first half at the Beres Ellwood Oval with a series of penalty conversions, including one from just short of halfway, helping the blue and golds to a 22-0 lead at the break.
Captain Nathan Bright said the Steamers played well as a unit.
“We were very physical and very tough and at the end of the day the Reddies just couldn’t match it,” he said.
“They lost a number of players along the way to injury.
“We have always said we wanted to take it up a notch when the comp split and there were signs in the weeks leading up to this, in games and again this week at training that we were on the right track.
“Blake kicked really well and gave us that breathing space, while Ash Lefevre, Tom Boyle and Tom Rowan were all good.
“But the whole squad is beginning to lift, players are coming back from injury and the confidence is growing.”
The Steamers brought in Dan Hogg for English prop Arran MacDougall after he was a late withdrawal through injury.
Coach Mick Raynes said the Steamers were emerging as a serious title threat and applauded the efforts of Hogg.
“We knew with the quality and evenness of the teams in the top six that we needed to get off to a winning start in the Walsh and Blair Cup,” he said.
“I think during the first round we were a middling chance of going back-to-back, but with this win we have emerged as serious contenders.
“If we can beat Waratahs at home this week we could go top and the aim was always to finish either one or two at the end of the year.”
Tumut effectively ended the top-four hopes of Wagga Ag College with four rounds to go and sets up what could be a season-defining clash against Griffith when the two teams lock horns in Wagga this Saturday.