ALBURY Thunder face an anxious fortnight after losing coach Ben Jeffery in their 20-18 loss to Junee at Greenfield Park on Sunday.
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In one of the matches of the Group 9 season, Jeffery was forced from the field midway through the first-half with a rib injury and is in doubt to play in their final match against Gundagai.
The loss leaves Thunder and Young fighting for fifth spot on the ladder after Cootamundra bowed out of the finals race with a loss to Temora.
Thunder trailed 18-6 at half-time but rallied through the efforts of David and Andrew Cowhan, Levi Freeman and Andrew Smith to almost land a memorable victory.
Jeffery was proud of the way his players responded after being challenged at the break.
“It was a great effort by the boys in the second half,” Jeffery said.
“If the bounce of the ball went our way we probably would have got them, but in saying that Junee held us out well.
“They were too good today.
“We kept coming at them and just fell short.
“We have the bye to regroup before getting ready for Gundagai.”
Jeffery, who received a heavy knock to his ribs, was coy about the injury after sitting out the final 60 minutes of the match.
“I’m a bit sore but hopefully I can get it sorted,” he said.
Jeffery’s absence ultimately cost Albury the game as the home team dominated the final 40 minutes down the middle of the park.
Jeffery and the injured Mitch Seaton’s finishing skills were sorely missed with Thunder continually being held up by some brave defence.
The Diesels scored their only points of the half when Tristan Dickson converted a penalty goal following a late David Cowhan hit on Matt Hands while he was kicking.
Thunder scored tries through Freeman and David Cowhan and had another Freeman try disallowed in the 66th minute.
The loss leaves fifth-placed Albury just six per cent ahead of Young on the ladder.
Thunder will collect the points from this weekend’s bye before taking on Gundagai, while the Cherrypickers have a tougher run home against the Tigers and Junee.
“All we can do is get ready for Gundagai,” Jeffery said.
“Whatever happens, happens.”
In other matches, Young trounced Tumut 58-16, Southcity defeated Kangaroos 22-12 in a battle for third spot and the Dragons accounted for Cootamundra 46-24.
Tumbarumba, Gundagai and Brothers had the bye.
