Waratahs walk over Tricolours

Both teams stood arm in arm on the pitch for the Last Post and a minute of silence on the eve of Anzac Day.

The match also took on special significance for many players as they donned black arm bands in memory of Quirindi rugby competitor Nicholas Tooth.

Earlier in the evening second grade played out an entertaining match, Wagga emerging winners 31-21, but it would be no indication of the game to come.

The Waratahs came out the gates firing and had two tries to their name before even the first scrum.

They looked dangerous every time the ball went out to the right and wreaked havoc against the home defense with quick breakaways and clever overlapping runs.

The result was beyond doubt by half-time as the teams walked into the sheds with the score 55-0.

Evan Bonner was nigh-on faultless from the spot whether right under the dot or out wide, kicking 10 from 11 attempts.

He capped a man-of-the-match performance with three tries, whilst Steve Tracey got two and the remaining six were shared between Chris Murray, Joe Murray, Hamish Cullenward, Hugh Palmer, Matt Shortis and Richie Lamont.

Alex Hardie gave the home support something to cheer for with one consolation try, which Dan Maher converted.

The night was perhaps summed up when, with 15 minutes to play, the sprinklers came on and drenched the cold, tired Tricolours camped on their defending try line.

Frustrations boiled over and a few punches were thrown, leaving one Waratahs player needing stitches for a gash over his eye.

Final score 75-7.