Griffith Black and Whites moved to the top of the Group 20 table after an impressive 42-nil win over the Yenda Blueheelers at Wade Park on Saturday.
Playing their Round Nine catch-up match, the Blueheelers lacked the bite to match motors with an impressive Black and Whites outfit.
Paula Naidike and William Charles crossed for doubles in a dominant performance, while Andrew Lavaka, Jarrad Williams, Mosese Naliva, and Naashon Mataora picked up well-deserved tries.
The victory was Griffith’s seventh in a row, and after a mixed start to the season, where the Black and Whites conceded ‘too many points’ in high-scoring contests, captain/coach Andrew Lavaka is pleased to see his side firing on all six cylinders.
“We had that early loss and some high-scoring games, but in Rugby League, it’s all about regenerating and aiming to succeed week in and week out,” Lavaka said.
Griffith has landed some big scalps during their winning run, edging past Darlington Point-Coleambally 26-22 in Round Seven before scoring a thrilling 22-18 win over reigning premiers Leeton in Round 12.
“Leeton is a quality side and has been for the last couple of years,” Lavaka said.
“They have been the benchmark, and it was a good game of footy and one we were lucky enough to get away with.”
When asked what the secret to their recent form was, Lavaka said it came down to getting the fundamentals right.
“We all know as Rugby League players that if you can hold the ball, it becomes a pretty basic game, and if you don’t, it can be a tough day at the office,” Lavaka said.
“I don’t know if there is any secret, but we have been playing smart footy and preparing well for those games.
“It just comes down to that preparation and dedication to do your job and tough it out.”
Griffith is guaranteed a top-three finish with two rounds left in the regular season, but Lavaka and his men face a tough road to finals.
The Black and Whites will make the trip to Hay on Sunday for Round 13 where they take on the fifth-placed Magpies, before a massive Round 14 contest against the third-placed Darlington Point-Coleambally at Solar Mad Stadium.
“At this time of the year, every team is going to peak at a different level,” Lavaka said.
“We’ve got some challenging games ahead of us, but it’s the kind of footy you want to play leading into finals.
“Hay will be tough this week, and we’ll focus on them, and after that, we have Darlington Point, and they are a quality side, and we will be ready and firing to go into that game and finals.”
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