Taking part in their first finals series since 2018, the Junee Diesels have fallen to Gundagai Tigers 36-12 on Sunday at Anzac Park in Gundagai.
On the back of a six-game winning streak, with their last loss a two-point defeat to the Tigers eight weeks ago, the Diesels’ players and supporters alike went into last weekend’s match full of confidence.
But Gundagai showed why they have had so much success at this time of year over the past 15 seasons, relishing the occasion and proving too classy for a shocked Diesels outfit.
In front of a vocal home crowd, Tyron Gorman opened the scoring for Gundagai with James Morgan adding another try for the Tigers soon after.
Cooper Wright then got the Diesels faithful on their feet, crossing in between a crowd of defenders, but unfortunately for Junee, that would be the only joy they’d experience for the next 60 minutes.
Mark Asquith and Will Herring boosted Gundagai’s tally before the half-time break, with Junee trailing 20-6 and doing some soul searching in order to rectify their first-half performance.
Junee needed to be first to score in the second stanza but it wasn’t to be, with Sailusi Temaka and Gabriel Gul stretching Gundagai’s lead with a try each.
Recalled winger Jakeem Morgan finished off some enterprising attack by the Diesels, albeit with the game out of reach, but the Tigers would have the last say with Herring going over for his second try to give Gundagai a comprehensive victory.
The Diesels will this week return to Laurie Daley Oval in a bid to continue their season, hosting the in-form Southcity Bulls.
The Bulls have scored 160 points in their last three outings, so defence will be an obvious area of focus for coaches Damian Willis and Chase Bernard this week.
Exiting the competition in straight sets would be a cruel way for the Diesels to go out given the way they have performed this season, and with a big local crowd expected to be in attendance, it may just be enough to get Junee over the line.
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