Seven days after going down to Tumut on their home turf, the Phantoms hit back when it mattered most.

After holding off an early challenge from the Bulls, Leeton stormed out to a 17-0 lead in the Southern Inland qualifying final.

While they didn’t score another try in the game, coach Seru Rogo was pleased by how his team responded with plenty on the line to run out 23-12 winners.

“You have to lift your defence in finals footy,” Rogo said. “We have been working on our defence all through the week and that is what we did.”

A strong defensive was the cornerstone for the victory.

The Bulls had plenty of opportunities early, including two missed penalties from Chris Bolton, but couldn’t find a way through the Phantoms defence.

Leeton then made them pay with two quick tries to Simon Vunilagi and Adriu Qio Tagilala.

Rogo thought it was a turning point for the team.

“That is what is going to happen and you just have to turn up,” he said. “It could have gone either way but we stood up well and did our job in defence.”

Stuart Dyer then slotted a penalty goal to give Leeton the big advantage.

However, the Bulls proved they weren’t done with yet.

Christino Manuolevao got the Bulls on the board 11 minutes into the half before Dyer put his team back out to a 13-point lead with 14 minutes remaining.

Jon Carmody continued the Bulls fight back when he crashed over with nine minutes remaining.

However, Leeton was able to regain the ball from the restart after it was ruled the Bulls were the last team to touch the ball.

Dyer then added three more points to Leeton’s total after the Bulls gave away a penalty from 

Rogo was impressed with how his team defended, especially late in the second half when the Bulls dominated possession and territory.

“I was really happy with the defence just then (late),” he said.

“I was looking at the time and I thought they were going to score but the boys scrambled really well to win.”

The victory sets up a chance to book a place in the grand final when they take on undefeated minor premiers Waratahs at Conolly Rugby Complex on Saturday.

Leeton have got the closest to the Wagga club this season, however Rogo is expecting a big challenge from the team who sat out the first week of the finals.

“It is a hard one next week against Waratahs,” he said.

“The boys will go out there, give it their best shot and see how we go.”