Junee overcame a dour first half to claim an important win against Temora at Laurie Daley Oval on Sunday.
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The two teams went into half-time locked a nil-all, but it was Junee who got their noses in front early in the second half and never looked back.
The Diesels kept in contact with the top five with a 12-4 victory.
While Captain-coach Matt Hands admitted it wasn't the prettiest game of football, he was thrilled to win.
“I wouldn’t say it was a high quality game of footy, it was a good, old fashioned scrap really with a few errors from both sides,” Hands said.
“It wasn’t pretty, but we got the result we wanted and that was the main thing.”
While there was little to write home about in the first half, things opened up a little more in the second stanza.
Chris Maher answered Tom Brandon’s opening try in the second half before Chris Lewis put the Diesels back in front.
Hands then kicked a penalty goal to make it a eight-point buffer.
It proved to be enough.
Hands thought more patience paid dividends.
He was also pleased with how his team was able to hold the Dragons out late.
“We had to defend the line there a few times, but they dug deep,” he said. “When we got to the lead the last time we were at home we gave up a lead against Gundagai so I was happy once we did go out by eight points were stuck solid and kept them out.”
Junee are now two points behind fifth-placed Albury.
Hands thought it was another important win, especially after a number of late changes.
“It was a really important two points or otherwise we start to lose pace and makes it pretty hard to keep in touch with that top five,” Hands said.
Cam Hands (illness), Aidan Sweeney (ankle), Liam Sweeney (hand) and Pat Guthrie (shoulder) all didn’t take their place against the Dragons.
The coach was impressed with how the bench responded, particularly Lochlan Landrigan in his first grade debut.
New Kiwi recruit Fale Malse also had a strong game in the front row while Patrick Sweeney and Rhys Clemson were strong in the forwards.
After stringing together successive wins, Hands is looking to keep the momentum going with a clash against Brothers on Sunday.
There will be plenty of familiar faces playing for the Wagga club after Peter Little, Patrick Sagigi, Will Merritt and Connor McCauley all made the switch this season.
“It is another very important two points and while they haven’t been going great I’m sure they will be looking to kick start their season as well,” Hands said.
“Everyone is looking forward to that one.”