Albury Thunder’s last premiership halfback has derailed favourite son Adrian Purtell’s return with a winning field goal in the final minutes.
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Cameron Breust spent just one year with the Border outfit in 2014, but this time he led Wagga Brothers to a thrilling 17-16 win on Saturday night.
It was coach Purtell’s first competition game in the league since 2002 when he left his home club for a 15-year professional career in the NRL and England.
“I think it was our game to lose, so it was disappointing,” he said.
The Thunder scored first through recruit Robbie Byatt before long-time nemesis Will Merritt replied.
Representative junior Liam Wiscombe then grabbed a double as the home team carried a crucial 16-4 half-time lead.
Brothers struck back with tries to Liam Carey and Aaron Wynne to level the scores, before Breust’s coolness delivered the knockout blow.
“The way we defended was outstanding,” Purtell said of his charges.
“They were camped on our line for a good 20 minutes in both halves, so that’s what I’ve got to take out of it, the effort they’re willing to put in for each other.”
The Thunder unveiled its new-look outfit with only four players from last year.
Purtell said before the match it will take time to gel, but he wasn’t using that as an excuse.
They were camped on our line for a good 20 minutes in both halves, so that’s what I’ve got to take out of it, the effort they’re willing to put in for each other.
- Adrian Purtell
“Look, I don’t think I can, it was just individual things, like in the play the ball,” he said.
“They’re just personal things where we’ve got to take accountability.”
Purtell will be sweating on a rib injury suffered by Wiscombe, who was forced off.
The club’s English combination was superb.
“I thought Brad Hill and Joe Lumb were terrific for us,” Purtell said.
“Joe’s only been in the country since Wednesday and he added a lot of energy.
“’Hilly’s’ been great for us in every game he’s played so far.”
Hill played for the Batley Bulldogs last year in the English championship league, which is a level below the country’s highest standard in the Super League.
Tumbarumba recruit Byatt was another solid contributor.
The Thunder will now look to rebound away against Cootamundra next Sunday.
The Bulldogs faced a tough test against perennial finalists Gundagai in the season-opener.
The group has dropped a side from its finals lineup, so a rare top four will make it critical for teams to win the close games, particularly against comparable outfits.
