Consecutive wins on the road has given Griffith’s hopes of making the Southern Inland finals a big boost.
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The Blacks backed up a breakthrough win over Albury last week with a 29-5 defeat of CSU at Beres Ellwood Oval on Saturday.
After five losses in a row, Griffith are now into fifth place courtesy of the bonus point win over the Reddies.
The Blacks moved a point clear of Ag College and are only behind Wagga City on points differential.
A change of personnel leading the club has had a big impact.
Since Aled Francis has come on as coach and Matt Vitucci returned as his assistant, the Blacks have scored two wins and almost upset Tumut.
The change coincided with a number of quality players returning to the team.
Vitucci has been pleased by the way the club has responded to the shake-up.
“It has been good and in the last couple of weeks we’ve picked up and gotten back to winning ways,” Vitucci said.
“We have been struggling and after Willie (de Meyer) stepped down, Aled and myself have gotten the boys to buy in a bit more.
“They’ve stepped up their game and really committed to the team and are playing well.”
The Blacks came out firing and set up the win in the first half after taking a 19-0 lead into the break.
Vitucci was pleased with how they controlled the game from the start.
“We were working towards our structures, we got a bit wayward at certain periods, but are definitely well on the way towards putting our best efforts on the paddock,” he said.
In his return from injury, Chris Latu was among his team’s best and was damaging on CSU’s edges from flanker.
Dan Bozic controlled things from inside centre in his second game back from injury.
While both victories have been against the two bottom teams on the competition, form on the road is something that the Blacks often struggle with.
Griffith now faces the challenge of Waratahs at home.
Vitucci is readying for the clash with the ladder leaders.
“We have been trying over the last couple of weeks to build ourselves up to take on the form side of the comp,” he said. “Our defence was outstanding and it is going to have to step up to a next level to take on ‘Tahs.”
