A REJUVENATED Marist Brothers have claimed a big scalp after defeating defending premiers Ballina 26-20 in Northern Rivers Regional Rugby League.<\/p>\n
It was both teams’ first game after a rain-affected start to the season.<\/p>\n
Brothers were dominant in the first half and set the win up after taking a 22-4 lead at Kingsford Smith Park, Ballina.<\/p>\n
Co-captain Mitchell Krause led the way, scoring two tries, while halfback Shallin Fuller impressed.<\/p>\n
He scored a first half try along with returning winger Damon Coldwell.<\/p>\n
Coldwell crossed in the 70th minute to seal the win after a late fightback which saw Ballina centre Oliver Regan and hooker Michael Dwane score tries.<\/p>\n
New coach, Darryl Butcher said Coldwell was one of a handful of young players he expected to perform well this season.<\/p>\n
“We wanted to bring young blokes like Kye Cooper, Ethan Mumford and Damon into the team this season,” he said.<\/p>\n
“We were a little bit burnt out by the time we reached the finals last year I thought.<\/p>\n
“This year we’ve recruited in a couple of areas and we’re getting up to 40 blokes at training, so it’s been really positive so far.”<\/p>\n
New fullback Noah King will be one to watch along with second-rower Henry Lee.<\/p>\n
Lee played in the Northern Rivers representative team which made the NSW Country final last month.<\/p>\n
The win also means Brothers regained the Denis Meaney Shield for the first time since 2012.<\/p>\n
In other games, Mullumbimby has won back-to-back games after a convincing 36-10 win over Casino.<\/p>\n
The Giants look like they will take another step towards a return to semi-finals based on early season form.<\/p>\n
Second-rower Cody Nelson has been influential along with returning halfback Jacob Miller.<\/p>\n
Elsewhere, Bilambil knocked over Evans Head 24-12, while Cudgen ran away with a 44-22 win over Lower Clarence.<\/p>\n
Byron Bay and Tweed Seagulls are winless after playing two games, while Murwillumbah and Tweed Coast have each won a game.<\/p>\n
Northern United lost its first game of the season 40-18 against an undefeated Kyogle Turkeys outfit.<\/p>\n
Marist Brothers host Mullumbimby at Crozier Field, Lismore when the competition returns from the Easter Break on Sunday, April 27.<\/p>\n
The clash between Bilambil and Tweed Seagulls shapes as the other match of the round at the Bilambil East Sports Fields.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A REJUVENATED Marist Brothers have claimed a big scalp after defeating defending premiers Ballina 26-20 in Northern Rivers Regional Rugby League. It was both teams’ first game after a rain-affected start to the season. Brothers were dominant in the first half and set the win up after taking a 22-4 lead at Kingsford Smith Park, […]<\/p>\n