The NSW Waratahs salvaged some pride from a season long lost with an uninspiring 26-13 victory over bitter rivals Queensland in tonight's Super 14 derby at Aussie Stadium.

After a typically dour and at times painfully boring interstate battle, the Waratahs ran in two tries to one to finally end their record eight-game winless streak and, in the process, almost certainly condemn the Reds to the dreaded wooden spoon.

The hapless Reds - without a win since round one 10 long weeks ago - are now eight points adrift of the second-from-bottom Waratahs and in need of a minor miracle to avoid finishing last for the first time in the tournament.

On this effort, they deserve it.

NSW-Queensland grudge matches are often won ugly but rarely have they been won uglier than tonight.

Dropped balls, lack of adventure, a half-hearted melee and an overzealous referee conspired to produce a drab affair.

In front of a paltry crowd of 21,872 - the smallest for a Templeton Cup clash in years - the Waratahs edged to a 9-6 lead thanks to three penalty goals from fullback Peter Hewat to two from his Queensland opposite Clinton Schifcofske.

In a rare highlight, a solo try to former Queensland halfback Josh Valentine helped the Waratahs to a 16-6 halftime advantage.

Valentine darted down the blindside to cross in the left corner two minutes before the break to give his side the momentum heading into the second stanza.

Another Hewat penalty goal made it 19-6 after 44 minutes before the Reds briefly threatened a comeback when Schifcofske swooped on a well-executed chip kick from five-eighth Berrick Barnes to score under the posts.

But a converted try to flanker Beau Robinson seven minutes from time sealed victory for the Waratahs.

The drought-breaking triumph gave hooker Adam Freier his long-awaited first win as Waratahs captain.

"We had four games left and we wanted to come away with four victories and we're off to a good start," Freier said.

Not surprisingly, considering neither team has won a game since round one of the competition more than two months ago and that both are desperately trying to avoid the dreaded wooden spoon, emotions spilled over early when a minor scuffle broke out involving several players.

The Reds took exception to Hewat tackling Queensland fly-half Berrick Barnes in mid-air.

It was a rare moment of excitement for the crowd.

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