In their first preliminary final in almost two decades, the Cherrypickers came into the clash with Tumut on the back of a four-game winning run.

However it came to a halt as the Blues held them scoreless in the second half to take a 22-8 win at Anzac Park on Sunday.

Coach Nick Hall thought half-time came at the wrong time for the team after Tom Jenkins' second try just before half-time saw them trail 12-8 at the break.

"We're disappointed as we lost, we're disappointed as we thought we were a chance, we had our moments and were in that game but they were the better side," Hall said.

"Their aggression was better, their talk was better and they kept themselves in it through those tough periods.

"We had moments where we were on top and I wish we didn't have half-time as I think we were starting to wrestle it back."

The early loss of Joe Picker really hurt the side.

Young were big movers on the recruitment front and despite falling short, Hall is confident it's been an important year for the club.

"The Cherrypickers like to be playing in the semi-finals and we feel we should be," he said.

"It was a year where we wanted to improve the culture, some structures and the feel around the place and a sure sign of that is nearly all our players have already signed for next year.

"There are one or two older blokes (who haven't) but last year we were still signing locals in February.

"This year it just happened so that is a positive and I see heaps of improvements in key areas in our place around the wrestle and our focus."

Young had a large contingent of travelling players and Hall admitted it is something that needs to be accessed with how it affects the dynamic of the club.

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