The Blacks took a 40-26 victory over their coastal opposition in the catch-up round on Wednesday night

It was set to be a big match for the Blacks, having only three days rest after their win against Camden on Saturday. 

Blacks coach Gene Fairbanks said the team started rusty but didn’t take long to warm up. 

“They did very well and pretty much had it locked away at the end of the first half,” he said. 

Defence has been a season long focus for the Blacks and Fairbanks said it started to slip away a bit this week. 

“It wasn’t as good as I would have liked and we potentially took a step back but in the first half the boys got it when they needed it,” he said. 

“I think we just need to work on being a bit more consistent.”

However, Fairbanks said the Blacks forwards and scrum were “extremely dominant”.

“Justin Madden and Feterika Sage were our two centres and they were outstanding,” Fairbanks said. 

“They had a real spring in their step and decided they were going to have a big game.”

At half time the Blacks had flown ahead with a 32-7 lead. 

Although they weren’t as strong in the second half, Fairbanks said it was an outstanding win. 

“Shoalhaven were quite good and they had a weekend off to rest which made it all the more pleasing on my part that the boys could step up and get it done,” he said.

The win consolidated the Blacks spot at third on the ladder. 

With just three rounds left before finals, Fairbanks said strong training sessions were vital. 

“We need to ramp up our physicality, our defence and our break down,” he said.

The Blacks will have a week off before facing off against University at Eridge Park on July 29. 

“It’s looking like it will be us and them in the first finals game,” Fairbanks said. 

“This will be a really big game in terms of gaining confidence for ourselves and deflating their confidence.

“It’s going to be a very big week and we are looking forward to it.”

Second grade also secured a win over Shoalhaven on Tuesday with a 33-10 scoreline. 

“Our seconds had a huge game and they performed really well,” Fairbanks said. 

The seconds are placed fifth on the ladder.

Fairbanks said they would have to push hard to make it to finals.

“They have to win their last three games and they do need a result to go their way,” he said. 

“But if they continue to perform how they have been they have a great chance.”

First grade try scorers: Feterika Sage, 1, Manu Feilo’ivao,1, Donovan Du Randt, 1, Tom Mooney,1, Jordan Grey, 1, Lachlan, Huntington,1.