Albury Thunder eyes a top five spot after toppling Wagga Brothers 30-12

The Thunder completed its unique time on the road with an unconvincing 30-12 win over winless Wagga Brothers on Saturday.

"We probably just didn't turn up with the right attitude, we've been on the road for weeks, it's been a big test, I just thought we were off the pace a little bit at the start," Thunder coach Adrian Purtell revealed.

"But you can't win every game pretty, it was good to win that one a little bit ugly."

Brothers' fullback Cade Price opened the scoring when he crossed, but the visitors struck back with two tries in three tackles.

Jeremy Wiscombe scored and then winger Curtly Jenkinson made a break from the re-start, but while Brothers scrambled to stop that movement, they couldn't hold out Robbie Byatt in the next play.

Price posted his second try just before half-time as the teams went to the break at 12-all.

Rugged forward Jon Huggett scored after nine minutes and then Jenkinson extended the lead midway through the half before the former's second try sealed the club's third win from eight rounds.

Huggett was his team's best, while prop Reece Clegg had a strong second stint.

There's a general bye over the Queen's Birthday long weekend, so the Thunder will end its away campaign against Wagga Kangaroos on Sunday, June 20.

The club's last home game was a thrilling four-point win over premiers Gundagai on May 1.

That performance kick-started the club's resurgence after conceding 140 points to 32 in three losses to start the year, which included a 50-point hiding against Southcity.

Gundagai was one of the club's finest victories in its 30-season history after trailing 18-0 after just 27 minutes against a powerhouse of the past decade.

"Kangaroos in two weeks is a really big game for us, I think that will go a long way to deciding where we finish at the back end of the year," Purtell added.

Despite the momentum gained by the win, the bye has come at the ideal time for the Border outfit.

Centre Ty Fletcher injured his shoulder against Brothers, while halfback Andrew Smith (groin), hooker Joe Lumb (sternum) and utility Byatt (hamstring) have been struggling with injury.

"We're a little bit busted at the moment," Purtell offered.

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There's now 10 rounds left with the Thunder to host five home games, including boom outfit Tumut, and three away, along with two byes.

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