It’s been 623 days since the last time they sung their song, but CSU finally found the way to win.
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The Reddies claimed their first win since the now defunct second tier grand final in 2015 by taking a 47-36 victory over Griffith at Exies Oval on Saturday.
The writing was on the wall that a win wasn’t too far away, with three close losses already this season, and CSU finally delivered.
Coach Mark Fisher was thrilled to taste success with the club.
“I’m stoked,” Fisher said.
“I’m very proud of them, they stuck to their guns, had some switch off mistakes in the first half but switched back on and to their credit they got the win.”
Neither team had won all season, but CSU overcame a mounting injury toll to take a much needed victory.
Their three best performances had been at Beres Ellwood Oval this season, including a 29-26 defeat by Ag College last week.
However, getting the win on the road is a big step, especially after coming from behind at half-time.
The Blacks took a 17-15 lead into the break before some ill discipline cost them.
Playing with a man down, Griffith struggled to contain a Reddies outfit with an numerical advantage.
The Blacks were two points up when it was 15 on 15, before CSU put on 24 straight points.
That had them up 44-22 before Griffith scored the last two tries, but it was a case of too little too late.
Fisher was pleased with the way his team responded with the game on the line.
“We let them back into the game in the first half,” he said.
“And I don’t know if it was me giving them a bit of a rousing at half-time or whatever it was but the boys picked it up in the second half and done with job.”
Fisher was also thrilled with the performance of Brandon Gilchrist, who was only called into the starting team on Saturday morning.
Gilchrist was strong at flanker in a forward pack missing plenty of players.
“He had an absolute blinder,” Fisher said.
“He tackled everything that moved, took the ball up well, ran his lines well and his cover in defence was awesome.
“He just played the house down and I couldn’t be happier with the kid.
“For a kid who is 18-years-old he really stepped up to the mark.
Ryan Prior also had a strong game, scoring three tries from fullback.
Fisher hopes the win will kick start their season.
Reddies face another test on the road tackling Albury.
However the two teams played out a close contest in round one with the Steamers taking a 40-36 victory.
