Only percentage separated the two teams coming into the clash at Conolly Rugby Complex, but it was the Boiled Lollies who took a big step towards sealing a second chance come finals time.

Wagga City had too much pace for their rivals and were always able to keep themselves in front.

However Tumut’s late charge ensured they didn’t go home empty handed.

Menzies Seumanutafa crossed to take the score to 25-24 with minutes to go before a handling error cost the Bulls a chance of winning.

Instead Wagga City spread to wide for Keifer Power to cross for his second try.

James Curgenven missed the sideline conversion attempt to see the Bulls picked up a bonus point.

With Wagga City to tackle Leeton in the final round of the season, the point has left an opening for the Bulls to steal third when they tackle Ag College on Saturday.

While Wagga City coach Michael Kanck is almost resigned to the fact the Bulls will go around them, he thought the performance was another step in the right direction.

“It is a good step, realistically with the way things are we will probably end up fourth, but it is out of our hands in a way,” Kanck said.

Discipline is one thing he’d like to see improve.

In a game full of penalties, including four yellow cards, Kanck wants his team to be less enthusiastic.

“Sometimes we try too hard, we push that extra part of the ruck and get penalised,” he said. 

“If we can concede five less penalties in a game than that will really help us.”

Power opened the scoring after a strong run by Monson Tuvale before the two teams then traded penalty goals.

Jayden Stanton then put James Curgenven into a yawning gap 30 metres out to give Wagga City a 13-3 lead.

However Will McLennan-Dye scored just before the break to see Tumut trail by three points.

The Bulls had an excellent opportunity to score shortly after the restart, but the Boiled Lollies sustained plenty of pressure before forcing a mistake.

Quickly going down the other end Vili Cavuca created space out wide before Jesse Uhr scored.

Will Reynolds and Curgenven were both yellow carded after the try before Tumut went a man down with Harrison Frisewll given his marching orders.

With the numerical advantage, City found Uhr in plenty of space to score out before Joe Ioane’s try got Tumut back into the contest.

Seumanutafa's converted try reduced the gap to one one but once again poor handling hurt killed their hopes of a comeback win.