GRINNING despite a loss, CSU coach Mick Wakeling found it hard to fault a massive performance from Reddies to finish within five points of Albury in the Southern Inland Rugby Union qualifying final on Saturday.

Giving the juggernaut its biggest contest of the season, the Reddies reached a new level of intensity to hold the Steamers to a single penalty goal in the second half of its 29-24 victory at Conolly Rugby Complex.

Although disappointed not to shatter the Steamers’ undefeated streak to the SIRU grand final, Wakeling said he was thrilled to chip further into the armour of the premiership favourites on Saturday. 

Speaking to The Daily Advertiser after the game, Wakeling said Reddies played with a strict game plan to rattle the Steamers’ structures and force uncharacteristic errors.

“We talked about controlling possession, I knew if we could keep the ball away from them they would get frustrated and give away penalties,” he said.

“We got quite a lot of penalties going our way because blokes like Patty Hunter and Godfrey (Condon) were in there on the ball and (Steamers are) not used to it, they’re not used to not having the ball and just running away with the game.

“They were expecting to score the normal 50 points and they only scored a penalty goal in the second half – five more minutes and we might have had a different result.”

In a threatening declaration to the title favourites, the Reddies shocked the SIRU competition to hold the Steamers to their lowest score for the entire season on Saturday.

Getting closer than any team has this year, Wakeling was quick to admit the job is not yet over and expects another huge performance against the Tahs for the last grand final spot on Saturday.

“Shoody is very good at keeping us grounded, the job’s not over yet, but if we play (Waratahs) like we did (on Saturday) I’d be pretty confident,” he said.

“I believe they can do it, they’ve been playing out of their skins for most of the year, so hopefully we can do the job again next week and they’ll be worried.”

Halfback Justin Wakeling and flankers Godfrey Condon and Pat Hunter were exceptional on Saturday, while second row recruit Naploioni Maiyalavesi brought another dimension to the forward pack.

“We needed a second rower badly and he’s come along and filled that gap, he’s great in the line outs, great in defence,” Wakeling said.