The Blacks have fallen in their match against their rival Leeton in a tight tussle on Friday night.
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Coach Jason Waring-Bryant said he couldn’t fault his side's effort.
“I thought we did pretty bloody well actually it was 110 per cent from everyone the whole game,” he said.
“I'm ecstatic it is always a close game with these boys.
“It is a big rivalry between the two sides and it always has been and it is good to see it keep going and hopefully next time we will come home with the biscuits.”
There was one aspect of the game which really let the side down and it was their inability to find touch from penalty kicks.
“We need to make sure when we are kicking it out we aren't trying to make too many metres,” he said.
“If we are able to find touch our forwards can do the job from there.”
If we are able to find touch our forwards can do the job from there
- Blacks coach Jason Waring-Bryant
The Blacks started the game well and were able to get the first points on the board after a penalty goal from Waring-Bryant.
Phantoms Moji Waqa hit back quickly to cross for his first try of the evening to take back the lead.
Chris Latu replied for the Blacks, however, two quick tries to Phantoms’ Freddy Tupou and Petero Tautusi saw the Leeton side head into the break up 17-8.
Upon the resumption, the Blacks made inroads into the Phantoms lead scoring first, however, it was their inability to find touch with penalties which would end up costing them.
With the missed metres gained the Phantoms were able to keep them at bay before Joserate Tuidreke scored before Waqa scored his second of the match.
Waring-Bryant said he was happy to see many of his players made it through the match carrying injuries.
"We had a couple of boys who have injuries and carried them into the game and the played pretty bloody well with them,” he said.
“We had to strap them up pretty tight and make sure they were right to go and we will see what the damage is on Sunday morning.”
The coach was praising of the way his big men lead the side around the park.
“The front row was strong all game and they dominated everywhere especially in the scrums,” he said.
“They knew it was going to be hard work and turn quite a few scrums in our favour.”
The task doesn’t get any easier for the Blacks as they prepare to take on the defending champions, Wagga Waratahs.
The Wagga side has only dropped one game this year, against the Phantoms and will be coming into the match off the back of a 64-15 win over CSU.