A come from behind win has ensured Ag College’s season is still alive.
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Needing a victory to be any chance of cracking the top five, Ag College were down 12-0 early against CSU at Beres Ellwood Oval on Saturday.
Getting back within two points of their university rivals at the break, Aggies really started to assert their dominance with a strong second half performance.
They scored five straight tries to take a 29-12 lead before were CSU the last team to score.
Coach Will Mitchell was relieved to find some winning form after a slow start to the crucial game.
“We had to get into the game as we weren’t in the game for the first 20 minutes, we just couldn’t hold onto the ball and made some silly mistakes,” Mitchell said.
“But then he hold onto the ball and when you hold onto the ball for long periods of time that is when the points come.”
The 29-19 victory was their first since beating winless Griffith a month ago.
The win closes the gap to fifth-placed Albury to three points with one game remaining before finals.
Mitchell was relieved the Steamers failed to pick up a bonus point in their loss to Leeton.
It makes the finals equation simpler for the Wagga team, but by no means it is easy and they still need to rely on other results.
Albury have another tough clash against Waratahs on Saturday while Aggies head to Jarrah Oval to tackle a Tumut outfit looking to claim third spot and coming off a loss to Wagga City.
Ag College’s focus has already turned to the must-win clash.
“We are still alive but need to beat Tumut up in Tumut with a bonus point,” Mitchell said.
“That is our sole focus now.
“I’m not too sure the last time the boys had too much success up their but hopefully we can turn things around.”
Tumut scored a 34-12 win when the two teams met to start the season and are currently 12 points ahead of Ag College.
Aggies captain Cameron Duffy was once again a standout against their university rivals.
Really relishing his move to five-eighth, Duffy really directed the team around well.
Thomas Macleay, Joe Maitland and Sam Webster were both strong in the forwards.
Mike van Diggelen and Hamish Pennington also provided plenty of spark in their return from injury,
Both came off the bench and played about 30 minutes.
It’s another good win for Aggies last ditch attempt of playing finals football.