Albury Thunder is facing the prospect of toppling Tumut on the road to force its way into the top three.
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Grand finalists Southcity damaged the home club's hopes of the double chance with a 24-18 win on Saturday.
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"I think the score flattered us a little bit to be honest," coach Adrian Purtell said.
"We struggled for field possession for much of the game, it was good we can hang in there and still be quite close, which is a massive positive for us."
Thunder has done well to still be in the top three reckoning, given Southcity, premiers Gundagai and the Blues have looked the obvious contenders for much of the season.
But the Thunder kick-started its top three hopes with a home win over Gundagai a month ago.
Ironically, that was also a 24-18 scoreline, while the club also had a 28-all draw with Gundagai in the first round.
Southcity grabbed the lead when the league's leading try-scorer Jake Dooley crossed after five minutes.
Rugged front-rower Brad Nicholson replied for the home team, but the Bulls again seized the initiative when long-time star Kyle McCarthy posted a try midway through the half.
Thunder again levelled the score when Robbie Byatt scored, but the visitors snared their third try to take a 16-12 lead to half-time.
And two unconverted tries to the Bulls, including another to Dooley, sealed the result, although Keanau Wighton posted a late try to cut the margin to six.
"I think they were really smart with the ball, they move it really well between the forwards, which helps them generate ruck speed whereas, on the other hand, we didn't generate the ruck speed we needed," Purtell said.
"So we were kicking off the back foot and not getting field position.
"That's (passing the ball between forwards) one of the things we're working on at training and we're trying to improve.
"We've just got to put things in perspective, we have improved massively."
That improvement will be tested when Thunder travels to Tumut, which won the round six clash 18-8.
Fullback James Girdler was strong against the Bulls, Jon Huggett produced a powerful game in the back-row, while hooker Joe Lumb was his consistent self.
The club's hopes suffered a massive blow when Liam Wiscombe was forced off early in the first half with concussion.
Wiscombe, who went into the game equal third for tries with 13, will be monitored this week.
The teenager's powerhouse running was missed against the strong Bulls' pack.
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