Leeton have set up a mouthwatering grand final rematch between the two undefeated teams in Southern Inland, but had to withstand a scare from Griffith first.
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The Blacks bounced out of the blocks at Leeton No.1 Oval, but the Phantoms found a way to bring up their 21st straight win.
The game was on a knife’s edge until three late tries swung in Leeton’s favour as they claimed a 45-31 win over their closest rivals.
Phantoms captain Tim Rolls wasn’t particularly pleased with his team’s performance.
“At half time we addressed how we were getting drawn into Griffith’s one out game,” Rolls said.
“We weren’t doing what we trained and weren’t rotating through our phases as we would have liked.
“We tried to address that a half-time and to some extent it changed in the second half, but not to the standard we would have liked.”
Griffith lead 12-0 before three late tries have Leeton a 19-12 lead at the break.
The Phantoms continued their run and were the first to score in the second half before Benji Maiava got his side within two points with two tries to bring up his hat-trick.
But Leeton responded once more with two more tries before a penalty try put the game out of reach.
Leeton are now focused on what shapes as their biggest challenge to their title defence in Waratahs.
The two teams played out a thrilling grand final last year and the in-form Wagga club will be looking for some revenge at Conolly Rugby Complex on Saturday.
Joe Kafoa-Pene was among the best for the Phantoms while Moji Waqa finished off strong.
Griffith coach Craig Morriss was impressed with the effort and attitude displayed by his team.
“I’m extremely happy,” Morriss said.
“To score that try right on the bell showed they kept competing and that is all we wanted them to do today was to compete for 80.
“It was a tough game but the guys stepped up
“They were in the position to win the game a few times (but) a penalty try and and whatever else didn’t help us, but that is just the way it is.
“You have to go with the flow but I’m really proud of the guys.”
Morriss was pleased with how his team defended against a Phantoms outfit full of attacking weapons.
Especially after holding their line for extended periods of play at stages.
Things don’t much easier with games against Tumut and Waratahs coming up.
“In every game we will learn something as a club and as long as we take that, go away with a positive and move forward it won’t be a problem,” Morriss said.
