Waratahs were forced to come from behind in order to maintain a good buffer on top of the Southern Inland ladder.
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Seventh-placed Tumut went into half-time in front at Conolly Rugby Complex on Saturday.
A late try from playmaker Steve Gill gave the Bulls a 14-12 lead at the break before the premiers responded with a much better performance in the second half.
Tries to Sam Bunny and Blake Hart in the first eight minutes after the break helped the ladder leaders kicked into gear.
George Mallat then scored his second before the Bulls got one back when Vaughn Scott plucked an intercept to get the margin to 10 points.
However any chance of a comeback was short lived as Jock Munro scored off a rolling maul play off a line out before tries to Dan Selmes and a second for Hart saw the competition favourites take a 52-21 victory.
While pleased to bring up their 12th win of the season, co-coach Michael Davis was far from impressed.
"It was a better second half but execution was just poor," Davis said.
"I thought the forwards really played well but we didn't cherish the ball enough in the backs and there were too many cut out passes, we went wide too early and it's disappointing for the forwards.
"They worked so hard and it's a bit of a let down."
Despite another good score on the board, Davis admitted he was frustrated by the display.
He is looking for a lot more ahead of a clash with Wagga City.
The Boiled Lollies are one of two teams, alongside Griffith, who have gotten the better of Waratahs this season and with their final hopes on the line will be desperate for another boil over.
Waratahs were wearing special jumpers for the Black Dog Institute and their ambassador and former Wallaby Richard Harry on hand.
Davis thought the World Cup winner helped Harry Cook put in his best performance of the year.
He thought the front rower was a standout.
"If we had 15 Harry Cooks it would be fantastic," Davis said.
"He had his mentor during the week in Richard Harry to impress."
Meanwhile Griffith bounced back from their first loss to seven weeks with a 52-12 win over winless CSU.
The Blacks remain in third place on the ladder, but are only eight points clear of fifth with games against Tumut and arch rivals Leeton to come.
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