By Tallon Smith

The Griffith Waratah Tigers have continued their incredible run of form in their return year in Group 20 Rugby League, scoring a 52-10 win over Tullibigeal-Lakes United at the Exies Oval on Sunday.

After two losses to open their campaign, the Waratahs have won eight of their last ten games starting with April 27’s victory against DPC, with only a draw against cross-town rivals Black and Whites and a loss, ironically to TLU at Lake Cargelligo in Round 6, interrupting their winning run.

Griffith Waratahs President Robert Nascimben said he was extremely pleased with his side’s effort, particularly given that they won all three grades at home for the first time this season.

“In all three games, but [especially in] first grade, they put on a great show, they never took a backward step,” he said.

“I understand Lakes [have] got quite a few injuries through the club, Jaden Kelly is gone for the year, and there’s a couple of other guys I think under an injury cloud. 

“[They fielded a] young side, there was some experience with Nathan Morris as their captain coach, [and] hey tried hard, but our boys cracked them, they stuck to their guns, and then they produced.”

However despite the ‘Tahs incredible run over the past few weeks leading to increased speculation and interest from local media and crowds, Nascimben said the last thing the club should do is get carried away with themselves.

“We played well and we ended up coming away with the chocolates as I said, but [we] can’t get carried away with it, we’ve still got three games to go [in] the competition,” he said.

“Unfortunately we’ve lost our halfback Jack Simpson, he went down with an ankle injury, [though from] my understanding they don’t think it’s that bad.”

As for the top performers on the day, Nascimben said he couldn’t go past a pair of emerging young stars who spearheaded the Waratahs’ cause.

“The standout was Luke Cannon, he’s a young 18 year old, he made plenty of room up the middle every time he touched the ball, he actually played three quarters of the game,” he said.

“[Another player] that’s improved way out of sight is one of our local juniors Michael Kilby, [he] hasn’t taken a backward step, and each week he’s just getting better. 

“He played front row [and] did a tremendous job in defence and in leading the pack of forwards.

“[Another key performer was] Adam Twigg.

“I think this is one of the strengths that we have, we’ve got such great depth with our forward pack, [and] we have a big bench.”

Moving to other games in the Group 20 competition, and the big scorelines continued, with the Griffith Black and Whites defeating West Wyalong 60-0.

An incident of a verbal nature occurred during the match involving a player and a spectator, which is being investigated proactively by the club and Group 20.

A statement has been released on the West Wyalong club’s Facebook page regarding the matter.

Meanwhile, the Leeton Greenies continued their recent run of good form with a 50-6 win over last placed Hay at Hay Park Oval.

On a positive note however, Hay and West Wyalong each recorded wins in Reserve Grade 38-16 and 28-18 respectively, reversing their heavy defeats in First Grade.

Other Reserve Grade wins went to Waratahs over TLU and DPC over Yanco-Wamoon on Saturday at Narrandera, while in League Tag victories went the way of DPC, Waratahs, Leeton and West Wyalong.

First Grade action next weekend sees Leeton host the Black and Whites, Yenda travel to West Wyalong, and DPC face TLU, while Waratahs take on Yanco-Wamoon in Reserves and League Tag.

Hay has the bye in all grades.