Waratahs clicked into another gear to ensure they completed the Southern Inland home and away season undefeated on Saturday.
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After being pushed by Ag College in the first half, the ladder leaders charged away in the second half.
Waratahs held onto a 19-12 lead at the break, before coming away with a 41-12 victory.
However, it isn’t all positive for the Wagga club after star centre Angus Le Lievre broke his nose.
The competition’s leading tryscorer was on the end of a shoulder charge from Ag College winger James Grimmett.
Grimmett was yellow carded for his efforts midway through the second half while Le Lievre is under a fitness cloud but after earning a week off to start the finals series, coach Will Mitchell isn’t too concerned.
However, he was impressed by their rivals.
“I don’t think we showed Aggies enough respect in that first half and didn’t play to our strengths and out systems,” Mitchell said.
“Aggies are a good side and we won’t be surprised if we see them in the grand final.
“They have a few out but if they can play at the standard they did for the first 40 minutes for 80 minutes, I think they will surprise a few sides.”
Waratahs started well, with Le Lievre scoring after three minutes.
He pounced on a mistake from Ag College near the halfway before kicking ahead and scooping up a loose ball.
Waratahs had plenty of early ball and finally made their field position count on the scoreboard when Dave Armstrong went over from the back of a scrum with scrummaging one aspect that Waratahs dominated throughout the clash.
Ag College had barely had their hands on the ball before Grimmett got them within two points.
Coming off a break from Cameron Duffy, Grimmett scored two tries in two minutes.
He just got the ball down in the corner, before sliding through the Waratahs defence to move the score to 14-12.
Steve Tracey ensured Waratahs had the lead heading into the break when he scored off a scrum.
Waratahs started fast in the second half, Tom Dunstan scored from close range before Pat Barrett scored.
A second try to Armstrong increased Waratahs lead before another former Ag College player Bart Whiteley completed the scoring.
Ag College finished with plenty of starters on the interchange bench, with one eye on the must-win final next week.
They take on Wagga City on Saturday, with the winner to keep its premiership aspirations alive while Waratahs will have the week off before playing the winner of Tumut and Leeton for a place in the grand final.
