Dane O'Hehir inspires rally for Gundagai

O'Hehir set up the Tigers first try of the second half before scoring the last in the 20-12 wins to ensure the premiers made it two on the bounce at Equex Centre.

Both teams allowed plenty of opportunities to slip by in an error riddled contest but Gundagai just had enough class to score the win.

Jack Elphick scored twice in the first 20 minutes but it was Kangaroos who took a 12-10 lead into half-time.

Injured co-coach Luke Berkrey was pleased with the defensive effort to keep their rivals scoreless in the second half.

"It wasn't pretty but I was so pleased with how we defended," Berkrey said.

"We gave Kangaroos opportunity after opportunity but came up trumps in defence.

"Kangaroos didn't really attack our line in the whole second half as we just kept turning them away so I'm really proud of our defence.

"Our attack wasn't great and we came up with lots of errors and lots of ill-discipline but it wasn't through a lack of effort which is the main thing."

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Gundagai were forced to undergo plenty of late changes with Dylan Murdoch and Afa Collins going down at training on Friday night.

With Berkrey also missing from their forward pack it left the Tigers light on, but they were able to overcome the problem with Mark Elphick playing well above his stature to start the clash.

The contribution of O'Hehir was certainly felt after he missed their big win over Brothers last week with representative duties.

"When the game is on the line you want your good players with the ball," Berkrey said.

"He beat two or three defenders to finish them off and that's why he's a country player."

O'Hehir had a tough day at the back as part of Country's loss to City last week.

However he did put on one of their two tries and hopes to use the experience to help the Tigers get back on track.

"It was everything I thought it was going to be and to play with the quality of players we did and with the coaches we had made it an experience I'll never forget," O'Hehir said.

He was also pleased to be back helping Gundagai to victory.

"They were really tough," O'Hehir said.

"We had to grind our way to win there as they turned up and had lots of energy.

"We had to get over them in the second half but it was a great effort by the boys."

The result brings Gundagai's record to three wins and two losses from their first five games.

Brekrey thought it was another step in the right direction.

However with a clash against Young at Alfred Oval next week, he wants the side to be much better.

"They've got a very good side so we will have to lift another gear to what we did today as if we give the Cornish brothers ball like that I don't think the scoreboard will be the same," Berkrey said.

"We will have to improve."