Southcity topples Albury Thunder 40-12 in Group Nine rugby league

The youthful home team was gritty, but Southcity posted a 40-12 win.

It follows the Border club's 40-8 loss away to Young last week.

Southcity and Young are second and third respectively, with grand finalists Tumut leading the league.

"They held the ball, in the first half we turned over too much ball, way too much and missed our opportunities when we did have them," utility Robbie Byatt suggested of the team's performance.

"With a really good side like that, you can't be turning over the ball every second set of six, especially on our own line."

Rain fell during the first half before the sun appeared for the second stanza.

But the early wet weather didn't stop the Bulls' attack with the dangerous Latrell Siegwalt proving a danger every time he touched the ball.

Siegwalt also featured with the boot, kicking six goals.

Centre Ty Fletcher and clever hooker Jeremy Wiscombe scored Albury's two tries.

Thunder back-rower Jon Huggett has won two club best and fairest awards and he will take some stopping to claim another after a strong display.

"Jon Huggett always goes well, while young Jeremy Wiscombe came off the bench and really lit it up for us in the second half," Byatt offered.

Generally in today's game, dummy-half forwards, like Wiscombe, need pace and evasion and the youngster possesses those skills.

Thunder fullback James Olds suffered a hamstring injury, which prevented the classy goalkicker from attempting to convert one of the tries.

Olds is hoping to represent Wales at the rugby league World Cup later this year, so he will be desperate it's not a serious injury.

The Thunder sits second last with a three-eight win-loss record, but it will have a genuine chance to improve that record when it hosts Temora on Sunday.

Interestingly, the Dragons have just the two wins, but sit above next week's opponents as they've already had their two byes.

Temora is coached by ex-NRL player Josh McCrone.

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The Thunder will have their two byes over the final seven rounds, while it has three more home games and two successive matches on the road.

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