Wanderers, celebrating their 85th anniversary, ran out 31-24 victors against the Blacks, despite the scores being locked at 19-all with 15 minutes remaining in the round-11 clash.

Two quick tries put the Two Blues ahead 31-19 before the Blacks hit back via an individual effort from outside centre James Bonomini.

But the Blacks fell slightly short of their fourth consecutive victory in a match where they still managed to pick up two bonus points for their efforts.

And it was a match described by some officials as one of the best in the Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union Premier Grade for 2009.

“Mark Eades (referee) came up to me after the game and said it was the best game he had refereed this season,” Blacks coach Geoff Golledge said.

Golledge said he was impressed with the Blacks performance, but little lapses in concentration with kick-chase, one-on-one tackles and fundamental handling errors cost

them the win.

“Overall, the boys put in a good performance, but mentally we were not quite up to it,” Golledge said.

The Blacks led 14-12 at half-time following first half tries to inside centre Shane Edmonds and fullback Jono O’Toole, which was his ninth of the season.

But the Wanderers scored first in the second half from a Blacks’ mistake to take the lead, which was the same story from the game’s opening whistle.

The result means Wanderers, who have extended their lead at the top of the table to eight points, are the only team in the top five that the Blacks have not defeated this season.

The Blacks, who had flankers Mick Hickling and Nick Davidson awarded Anderson Medal points despite being on the losing team, now slide to fifth place, with University jumping them into fourth after the students edged out Lake Macquarie 19-7.

Second placed Merewether Carlton crushed Nelson Bay 80-7 and third placed Hamilton were too good for Southern Beaches by 35-15.

In the final round-11 encounter, the Singleton Bulls enjoyed their first win since round six with a narrow 33-31 triumph over The Waratahs.