The Blues were far from their best in the minor semi-final at Equex Centre on Saturday but did enough to keep their season alive.

Tumut trailed for large periods of the first half, but were able to keep the Thunder scoreless in the second stanza to take a 17-10 win.

Co-coach Dean Bristow wasn't thrilled with their performance.

"We didn't play very good," Bristow said.

"We coughed up some ball, and they had a lot of opportunities at us with a weight of possession in the first half and then the first 20 minutes of the second half.

"On the first opportunity we got in the second half we managed to score."

Bristow hit back for Blues as he answered Rex Sargeant's try to open the scoring after 14 minutes.

However it was the Thunder, coming off a big win over Brothers, who took a 10-6 lead into the break after Brad Nicholson crashed over.

Albury dominated the start of the second half but couldn't find a way through.

Not even penalty goal attempts worked for the Border side before two quick tries to the Blues got them back on top.

Tom Warner scored 17 minutes into the second half and four minutes later Michael Clark crossed to hand Tumut a 16-10 lead.

Bristow then iced the game with a 15-metre field goal with six minutes remaining.

The Blues fullback is looking for improvement in the preliminary final at Harris Park on Sunday.

"I would have been shattered if we went out but to their credit they played well," he said.

"They are a tough footy side and have a great forward pack and forced a lot of mistakes from us and played with plenty of energy.

"We know we need to be a lot better if we are going to do any in the comp but it's good to be alive and have another crack at it next week."

However one positive could be how the Blues bucked their trend this season when it comes to making the most of their chances.

Failing to make the most of dominating teams has proved costly in some of their losses, but this time they took advantage of the few they secured.

"I reckon we only would have got tackled five or six times in their 20 in the second half but those times we managed to score," Bristow said.

Another positive was the Blues got through the clash with no injuries.

They are looking to win through to their first grand final since winning the 2010 premiership after being knocked in the 2017 preliminary final by Gundagai.

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