Willie Fairweather has had his fair share of ups and downs this season.

He returned for only his third game of the season after damaging his ankle in the first round against the Ballina Seahorses, and he made a difference against the Casino Bulls.

Initially, set to play Reserve Grade, Fairweather arrived at the ground to be told he was playing Firsts.

He was then set to start on the bench, but two minutes into the match, City Fullback Matt Bentley suffered a head knock and was taken from the field to be replaced by Fairweather.

Fairweather moved onto the wing, with Stephen Hughes moving from wing to fullback.

The contest started out fairly even for the first 15 minutes with both teams scoping each other out, before the Bulls scored out wide for a 7-0 lead.

Fairweather was then able to add spark to the backline with several well placed kicks allowing Lismore City to gain a territory advantage.

This advantage saw a try to prop Tate Bailey from a maul and then a five pointer to Fairweather after a strong drive by hooker Cameron Bryant to take Lismore to a 10-7 lead

Ill discipline then allowed Casino to even up the contest, after a penalty in front of the posts at 10 all.

Two minutes from the halftime break, Lismore City lost halfback Jack Everingham with a dislocated kneecap. From the ensuing play, Casino crossed out wide to lead 15-10 at the break.

Coach Ray Taylor then set about lifting his side in the halftime huddle. "This is our Grand Final, we can win this, it is only 15-10," he said.

With Everingham out, this created a reshuffle with Fairweather having to move into the No. 9 role, which he adapted quickly too.

The Bulls were able to apply pressure early, crossing for a converted try to lead 22-10 after eight minutes of the second stanza.

This seemed to spark the Lismore attack, with a potential try held up over the line after a strong move from a lineout win, before another veteran Stephen Hughes, scored from the ensuing scrum. The conversion was unsuccessful, but Lismore was on a roll at 22-15.

Six minutes later, the Lismore pack began to roll forward with hooker Cameron Bryant diving over, after 10 phases. Again the conversion was missed but Lismore were on the comeback at 22-20.

Casino scored after a questionable last pass from a break down the right hand touch line to move out to a 29-20 lead.

Young backrower, Ryan Wolton, was then able to score under the posts after the Lismore pack again combined well through the middle channel, which was converted by replacement kicker, Braeden Nelson, to take the score to 29-27 to Casino.

A Lismore line out win saw Fijian winger Romulo Lewenqila push off several would be tacklers before offloading to a Casino player who combined with team mates to run 80m to score, pushing the score to 36-27 to Casino.

Lismore continued to attack, but errors denied them on a number of occasions, with Stephen Hughes held up over the line in the dying minutes.

Coach Ray Taylor was happy with the commitment and effort from the team, but was disappointed with the result.

"We committed too many silly errors and did not make the most of our opportunities today," he said.

"The game was there to be won today, but we just couldn't get over the line.

"We have one more chance in Grafton next week to snare that first win, the boys deserve it.

"I was really pleased with how Tyler Coveney played today, he is only young, but turns up every week and gives everything.

"I was also please with our centres Cody Johnston and Adam Rodd, they combined well."

Others to impress were Fairweather, Hughes and Lewenqila adding spark to the City backline.

Coopers Far North Coast Rugby Union Round 6

Casino 36 (15) Jayden Torrens 2, Bryce Spencer 2, Scott Kenny tries, Jayden Torrens 4 conversions, penalty goal

Lismore 27 (10) Cameron Bryant 2, Ryan Wolton, Stephen Hughes, Will Fairweather tries, Brayden Nelson conversion

Ballina 54 (40) Tom Watson 4, Samisoni Yamai, Ant Lolohea, Kye Cribb, Nemani Matirewa tries, Sam Giltrap 7 conversions

Grafton 15 (0) Wirri Boland, Damien Kirby, Riley Lawrence tries

Lennox Head 27 (10) Tasman De Groot, Kel Sheather, Brad Lees, Riley Wilson tries, Berrick Barnes, Kel Sheather conversions, Berrick Barnes penalty goal

Casuarina 19 (5) Kai George, Daniel Raye, Max Graham tries, Vitori Buatava 2 conversions

Wollongbar 29 (17) Bodi Smith 2, Ben Damen, Louis Hollman, Austin Markwort tries, Sam Kerry 2 conversions

Bangalow 15 (0) Zac Hartley, Jack Bensley, Michael Thomas tries

Point Score Ballina 26, Wollongbar 26, Lennox 26, Casuarina 17, Bangalow 15, Grafton 7, Casino 6, Lismore 1

Reserve Grade

Casino 33 Lismore 17

Lennox Head 29 Casuarina 5

Ballina 46 Grafton 19

Wollongbar 30 Mullumbimby 0

Under 18s

Lismore 21 Casino 14

Mullumbimby 29 Kyogle 0

Lismore 21 Casino 14

Casuarina 43 Ballina 14

Womens

Casino 17 Lismore 10

Ballina 24 Evans River 17

Lennox Head 26 Wollongbar 12

Presidents Cup

Evans River 17 Iluka 14

Richmond Range 24 Kyogle 7

Tenterfield 26 Southern Cross University 19