It was the Blueheelers who were able to get across the line first with Tevita Mahe scoring before the Waratahs responded quickly with Semisi Rogoyawa bring the scores back level with 24 minutes remaining in the first half.

It was back to back tries for the Waratahs as Michael Vitucci found his way across the line, but once again the lead was short-lived with Yenda pulling back level as Sai Ahomana crossed to make it 10-all.

With halftime approaching, Waratahs were awarded a penalty from within the range of Jonathan Morris who stepped up to slot the kick and give his side a 12-10 lead at the break. 

The Tigers started the second half strongly as William Jaffrey found his way across the line before Rogoyawa scored his second of the game to see the Waratahs leading 22-10 with 15 minutes remaining.

With 11 minutes left, Vaea Mateo gave Yenda a sniff and getting back into the game by reducing the margin to eight points.

Morris kicked a second penalty goal to see his side come away with a 24-14 victory and for his two-try performance, Rogoyawa was awarded the man of the match.

Waratahs’ captain Morris praised the way his side held out the Yenda attack when they were piling on the pressure in the second half.

“We got lucky a few times when they threw the ball out, knocked it on a couple of times,” he said.

“The boys really dug deep in defence and when it was needed and scrambled well.

“They are a big team, they are mobile, and we did really well to come up against them, they were achieving all year, and we were lucky to get it across the line today.”

While Morris thought it was a good team effort, he pointed to one of his forwards as a standout.

“I thought Michael Vittuci was really good as always in the middle,” he said.

“He really holds that centre and the structure really well, and the forwards work off him.”