JUNEE’S Group Nine finals campaign got off to a nightmare start after going down to Gundagai 36-14 in its qualifying final at Anzac Park on Sunday.
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We just couldn’t get the footy in the second half and a side like that is good enough to take their opportunities.
- Diesels captain-coach Matt Hands
After heading into the break at 10-all, Junee was blown away by a second half masterclass from Gundagai.
The visitors conceded five tries in the second half while converting just one of their own.
Junee’s second half got off to a disastrous start which set the tone for the rest of the clash.
Fullback Daniel Foley couldn’t control the ball from the kick-off, giving Gundagai first crack at the Diesels.
Captain Matt Hands then suffered a serious pectoral injury trying to make a tackle, adding injury to insult.
On the next play, Gundagai’s Chris Rose put in a deft kick to find his older brother Mat under the posts.
The Tigers then ran in another four tries in the next 22 minutes to blow out the scoreline.
As the Diesels struggled without their lynchpin, the Tigers’ forwards started continued to wrestle the contest in their favour and the back line benefited.
Dane O’Hehir, Damian Willis and Kieran Pearce all forced their way over the line before Clifford Morris ended the rot for Junee.
His try with 10 minutes left in the game was the Diesels’ first points since Cameron Hands broke through two tackles then burrowed over to score after 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, Hands season is officially over following an injury which creates a massive hurdle for the Diesels to climb when they host Albury in a doe-or-die semi final on Saturday.
While Hands is set to meet with a surgeon next week, he is now looking for the team to regroup when their season is placed on the line this weekend.
The inspirational leader was encouraged by Junee’s first-half effort on Sunday, as the Diesels were on top for most of half before a late try saw them going into the break at level pegging.
It wasn’t until the second half when everything started unraveling.
“At half-time we spoke about how the game was there to be won and we just had to earn it,” Hands said.
“It was disappointing finish but we just couldn’t get the footy in the second half and a side like that is good enough to take their opportunities.”
“The pleasing thing is we get another crack at Albury next week but we know they will be tough.”
