The Wagga side was really pushed by Griffith before coming away with a 47-29 victory at Exies Oval on Saturday.

After sustaining a second half comeback against Leeton last week, coach Richard Skellern believes the gap between the best teams in the competition is closing and quickly.

“It was a tough game and it is good to get a couple of tough games two weeks in a row,” Skellern said.

“The comp is starting to even out a bit more.”

Griffith really impressed Skellern, who is still formulating the Southern Inland representative side for next month’s Brumbies Provincial Tournament.

A few Blacks are expected to make their way into the side.

“They played with intensity, enthusiasm and they controlled the ball well,” he said.

“Craig Morriss has them going really well.

“Huge credit to Griffith, they played some really good football.”

Waratahs had been dominating their rivals, with their smallest victory margin being 51 points for the last fortnight.

Skellern believes it has shown there is still plenty of work to be done with the competition favourites.

“We didn’t control the ball as well as Griffith all day and didn’t play to our structures but it is another lesson well learnt and another hard-fought game,” he said.

“That is what rugby is all about.

“You have to control the ball and if you don’t you don’t have it and you can’t score tries.”

Blake Hart was one of the standouts, scoring four times to cement his place at the top of the competition’s leading tryscorers list.

Hart and teammate Corey Toole had gone try for try through each of the first six games of the season, but Hart was able to double the teenager’s tally.

He’s now scored 19 tries in his first season with the club and Skellern continues to be impressed.

“Blake played really well,” he said.

“He played an excellent game.”

Hart was moved to fullback for the game, Dan Selmes returned to halfback with James Grimmett coming onto the wing.

Waratahs were forced to go plenty of reshuffling after injuries to Matt Shortis and Euan Bonner as well.

Sam Bunny was also strong in the forwards.

The loss now sees the Blacks slip out of the top five after the first full round of the season.

However coming off their good performances against Waratahs, and Leeton three weeks, ago, Skellern expects they will be still fighting it out come the end of the season.

Griffith are now looking to hit back against winless Wagga City while Waratahs face an all-Wagga clash with Ag College.

Aggies will head into the game at Conolly Rugby Complex more with confidence after leading Leeton at half-time on Saturday.