SOUTHCITY overcame an early deficit to clinch its second Group Nine premiership with a 22-18 win over Gundagai at Wagga’s Equex Centre on Sunday.
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The Bulls were slow out of the blocks and trailed 14-0 after 14 minutes before they worked their way into the contest.
The minor premier had hardly touched the ball as last year’s premiers roared out to the early lead following tries to Dane O’Hehir and Dylan Cole.
Captain-coach James Smart then slotted a penalty goal before the Bulls soon got things back on track.
Hooker Pani Manawatu got the ball rolling when he dived over after picking up his own ricocheted kick to score his team’s first after 17 minutes.
Usaia O’Sullivan then got the Bulls within four points when he pounced on a perfectly timed kick from Nathan Rose eighth minutes later.
Southcity then took the lead into the break courtesy of Kyle McCarthy.
Captain-coach Nick Skinner was confident his team would bounce back.
“We had that last game where it was similar sort of circumstances so we knew we could come back,” Skinner said.
“We just kept composed, which was good, and we just needed our fair share of the ball.
“We were struggling to get over the line in the second half but we grinded it out.
“The bond we have to work for each other is pretty strong and I think that’s what got us there in the end.”