POTENT attacking threats and experience in key areas has seen defending premiers the Wollongbar-Alstonville Pioneers kick off the Far North Coast rugby union season in style.<\/p>\n
The Pioneers were two players down in the second half before sealing a 31-12 win over the new-look Byron Shire Rebels in the second round of the competition.<\/p>\n
Most teams have played at least one game now after a rain-affected start to the season.<\/p>\n
Second-rower Matt Scott, flanker Hamish Mould and winger James Vidler scored first half tries on a heavy track at the Byron Recreation ground.<\/p>\n
After halftime it became a fierce battle with Scott and five-eighth Jarrod Wylie yellow carded for separate infringements within a minute of each other.<\/p>\n
It meant the Pioneers had to dig deep and defend with 13 men for almost 10 minutes.<\/p>\n
“We really had to lift in the second half and our experience probably showed in the end,” Pioneers captain Ben Damen said.<\/p>\n
“We felt in control for most of the game and we had to fall back in our old patterns and simplify our style of play.”<\/p>\n
The Rebels also played one down before the halftime break and with five minutes to go.<\/p>\n
“They had some new blokes, and we had a few out, too. Hamish Mould was probably the difference in the forwards, he played well,” Damen said.<\/p>\n
In other second round games, ladder leaders Ballina ran away with a 29-12 win over Casino at Quays Reserve Ballina.<\/p>\n
Five-eighth Elliot Bryers, front-rower Brett Johnston, fullback Jack Kindred and winger Emori Rairailevu scored second half tries for the Seahorses.<\/p>\n
Ballina looks like it will be the main threat for Wollongbar-Alstonville this season with the teams to meet in the fifth round on Saturday, May 10.<\/p>\n
The Seahorses will host rivals Lennox Head when the competition resumes on April 26.<\/p>\n
Casuarina takes on Casino that weekend in what shapes as an important early season game for both teams.<\/p>\n
The Rebels will be at home again at Schultz Oval, Bangalow when it plays Lismore before another big game against Ballina the following weekend.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
POTENT attacking threats and experience in key areas has seen defending premiers the Wollongbar-Alstonville Pioneers kick off the Far North Coast rugby union season in style. The Pioneers were two players down in the second half before sealing a 31-12 win over the new-look Byron Shire Rebels in the second round of the competition. Most […]<\/p>\n