Waratahs extended Griffith’s winless season, but it was far from convincing.
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After forfeiting second grade earlier in the week the fresher Blacks outfit really took it to the second place team in one of the most surprising scorelines of the season.
While never too comfortable throughout the clash at Exies Oval, the Wagga team had their noses in front for most of the clash to score a 41-32 victory.
It was a massive turnaround by Griffith after the 144-8 belting by Leeton last week.
While happy to come away with the points, Waratahs coach Angus Macleod was impressed by the fight shown from the struggling Blacks.
“We only had 19 players come across, but credit to Griffith, they played a good brand of footy," Macleod said.
“There was no question about it.”
Waratahs forwards did plenty of hard work to get on top of the Blacks.
Hooke Jock Munro and flanker Sam Bunny were among the best while Tony Ritchie also impressed after coming off the bench.
In their return from injury Justin Shortis and Tom Hobbs did most of the scoring for Waratahs.
Shortis scored a hat-trick on the wing after a knee complaint while Tom Hobbs crossed for a double stepping back into the five-eighth role following a back issue.
Ritchie also scored in the win, as did Harry Hosegood.
One positive for Macleod was the club didn’t pick up any injuries from the win.
It will leave him with more than one selection headache coming into the last round of the regular season against Albury.
Plenty of players missed the clash including Tim Corcoran, Xavier Chigwidden and Euan Bonner.