With coach Ben Jeffery having a full-strength line-up for the first time this season, the reigning premier dominated from the outset to move within two points of the fifth-placed Wagga team.

Jeffery said he was confident the win was a turning point for the rest of the home and away series.

“It’s probably the best we have played since round 1,” Jeffery said.

“I was really pleased with the effort in particular.

“I thought we were good for 60 minutes and lapsed for about 20.

“It was a good sign that they only scored one try after half-time.”

Albury made a spectacular start with tries to Mitch Seaton, Jeffery and Daniel Hill inside the first 22 minutes before Kangaroos cut the deficit to 18-10 at half-time after Lachlan Cuell and Adam Hall crossed the line.

The sin-binning of Trenten King was another blow for the home team.

But Albury used the break to regroup and ratted home with four tries to one to clinch a morale-boosting victory.

David Cowhan and Levi Freeman were outstanding for Thunder while Jeffery and Mitch Seaton also turned in strong performance against one of the best defensive teams in the competition.

Jeffery said Albury would need to continue to improve against South- city at Greenfield Park on Sunday.

“We can play better than we did today,” he said.

“It’s do-or-die from here on in as they are all must-win games.

“This is a good starting point though.”

Former coach Josh Cale made a surprise appearance in reserve grade for the Thunder, but is likely to step up next weekend.

Southcity suffered a shock 20-12 loss to Wagga Brothers at Harris Park yesterday.

“They (Brothers) were more enthusiastic,” coach Nick Skinner said.

In other matches, Temora defeated Tumut 30-16, Junee and Cootamundra drew 24-24 and Gundagai trounced winless Tumbarumba 44-4.

Young had the bye.