Southcity inflicts Tumut's first loss of the season

A field goal from co-coach Dean Bristow put the Blues back in front with eight minutes to go, but Southcity found the answers to make it three straight wins.

A penalty goal from Steven Tracey edged the Bulls back into the lead before Maleke Morris scored in the dying stages to secure a 36-29 win.

Both teams went into the clash missing some key forwards, but Southcity captain-coach McCarthy was thrilled to come away from a difficult trip into the hills with the two points.

"It was very back and forth and tit-for-tat try wise but we just had enough to get in at the end," McCarthy said.

"It's a tough ground to play at, they are a physical team and it's a pretty wild crowd who had plenty to say throughout the day."

Adam and Jed Pearce were out for Tumut while Nick Skinner and Hayden Jeans both missed for Southcity.

McCarthy thought going in without two of their best forwards added more value to the win.

"With the forward battle we had, without probably our two best middles, we really stood up," he said.

"I was really proud of the boys."

The Bulls fired early as Harry Lucas scored the first of his two tries but soon found themselves down 16-6.

The first of Lewis Arragon's two tries plus a double to Tommy Warner had the Blues up and about before a crucial try to Nathan Rose late in the first half cut the margin back to four points.

It gave Southcity some momentum and they took it advantage with tries to Josh Siegwalt and Lucas handing them back the lead 10 minutes into the second half.

From their the two sides went try-for-try to be level deep into the game.

Bristow gave the home side plenty to cheer about, but their quest to end a long run of outs against the Bulls failed.

Southcity are now looking to extend their winning run in a big clash with Albury at Harris Park.

The Thunder are also yet to be beaten this season, but did draw with Gundagai in round one, and continue a tough period for the Bulls.

McCarthy believes the side is showing good signs.

"We obviously had that terrible loss to start and then two pretty convincing wins over not quite the front runners but to get a win against the top-of-the-table team is really good.

"We've got another tough one next week so hopefully that slingshots us into a bit of form."

Tumut will be looking to hit back against winless Cootamundra on Saturday before taking on the Thunder themselves.

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