The Wollongbar/Alstonville Pioneers have been denied a seventh consecutive premiership after going down to the Lennox Head Trojans in the FNC Rugby Union Grand Final.

It is an old cliche, but it was a game of two halves with Lennox Head racing to a 32-0 lead at halftime before the Pioneers steadied and began to play their own style of rugby.

Unfortunately for the defending premiers, the second half remained scoreless for both teams, with the eventual scoreline remaining 32-0.

The match was delayed slightly after an Evans Rivers Women's player was airlifted from the ground in an earlier game with a suspected spinal injury.

It took the Trojans just nine minutes before winger Martin McNamara crossed in the left hand corner for an early 5-0 lead.

The Pioneers were then able to steady the ship after the Trojans had a weight of possession and territory.

Pioneers Number 8 Steve Mason had several strong runs to challenge the defensive line.

(A line-out win for the Pioneers. Photo: Matt Barlow)

A scrum win against the head to Lennox allowed backrower Sunny Sheather to cross, which was converted by Berrick Barnes to moved out to a 12-0 lead.

Barnes slotted a Penalty goal after a high shot and minutes later before a try to Lennox fullback Zac Condon was again converted for a 25-0 lead.

Barnes then showed why he was rated as one of the best players in the country when he drifted across field to put winger Tas De Groot through a hole to go to a 32-0 halftime lead.

The Pioneers then came out and wrestled back momentum with the weight of possession, assisted by multiple penalties against the Trojans.

(Steve Mason passes out wide. Photo: Matt Barlow)

The repeated infringements frustrated the referee with a succession of Lennox players being given yellow cards (6 in total) but their defence held steady.

Wollongbar/Alstonville had several close raids throughout the half, but were unable to cross the try line in what was a much improved effort.

Pioneers Coach Paul Jeffery was proud of his side after the match. "Nothing went right for us in the first half."

(a concerned coach Paul Jeffrey. Photo: Matt Barlow)

"I am proud of the boys effort in the second half, they knuckled down and kept them scoreless"

"The combination of youth and experience got the better of us today, we will be back again next year."

"I was proud of the efforts of Jake Lubrano, Austin Marqwart and Josh Galbraith who toiled hard all day."

FNC Rugby Union Results

Women's 10's Premiership - Ballina 10 d Evans River 0 (match abandoned)

President's Cup Premiership - Byron Bay 45 d Evans River 0

Under 18 Colts Premiership - Lismore City 27 d Casuarina 17

Reserve Grade Premiership - Ballina 25 (Rick Randall 2, Nick Brydon, Nat Hooper tries, Terry Ferguson conversion, Nick Brydon penalty goal) d Lennox Head 19 (Penalty try, Kurt Orlanno, Willis Parker tries, Harry Fettell conversion)

First Grade Premiership - Lennox Head 32 (Martin McNamara, Sunny Sheather, Tas De Groot, Zak Condon tries, Berrick Barnes 3 conversions, 2 penalty goals) d Wollongbar Alstonville 0