Lismore Rugby Club had clawed their way back into the match against Ballina to level 10-10 with two minutes of the first half to go at Lismore yesterday afternoon in the opening round of Coopers Far North Coast Rugby Union's First Grade competition.

But a turnover, which led to a Ballina penalty, saw the away side score a converted try and then another converted try two minutes into the second half was "the killer blow", according to Lismore coach Ray Taylor.

By that time Lismore had lost scrum half Jack Everingham, who scored all Lismore's 10 points with a try, conversion and penalty goal, full-back Willie Fairweather and were about to lose flanker Tyler Coveney to injury.

Those watching, willingly obeying social distancing and all the coronavirus regulations, saw Lismore settle down after continually turning the ball over early and trail 10-0.

The line out began working, field position was much better and the side began working as a unit and put pressure on Ballina which led to Everingham's try. .

"The best thing was that we played four grades - First, Reserves, Colts and Women's - and that is unheard of for this club. In addition, I am normally looking at a bench of four players. Yesterday, we couldn't fit everyone who wanted to get on the pitch on the score sheet. If this continues, we are going much better."

Fly-half Mathew Bentley, a former Marist Brothers Junior, had a sound debut, according to Taylor, who bloodied some of the Colts (Under 18s) who had won at Kyogle earlier.

"He will get better and we will give him some time - this season and then we will work on him in the off-season," said Taylor.

Taylor said Ballina will trouble the best clubs in the competition.

"We were making good tackles, but they would pop the ball up and someone would be running on to the ball. They were better than us, although the final scoreline 56-10 did not reflect the game," he said.

Ballina winger Terry Ferguson scored a hat-trick of tries and Taylor praised the Number 8 Sylvester Fahamokia and the centres Ant Lolohea and Nemani Matirewa, who scored two tries..

It does not get any easier for Lismore, who travel to the coast to take on Casuarina Beach next Saturday.

Lismore (10) 10 (Jack Everingham Try, Conversion, Penalty Goal)'

Ballina (17) 56 (Terry Ferguson 3, Nemani Matirewa 2, Samisoni Yamai, Nick Watson, Jake Smith, Brad Brown, Jakob O'Connor tries, Sam Giltrap 3 conversions)

Lismore: 1. Tate Bailey, 2. Cameron Bryant, 3. Greg Martin, 4. Gavin Tulk, 5. Ben Carroll, 6. Tyler Coveney, 7. Brenden Williams (c), 8. Inasa Naulivou, 9. Jack Everingham, 10. Mathew Bentley, 11. Sam Nilon, 12. Adam Rodda, 13. James Whitby 14. Semi Naulivou, 15. William Fairweather

All Round 1 results

First Grade

Lismore (10) 10 (Jack Everingham Try, Conversion, Penalty Goal)'

Ballina (17) 56 (Terry Ferguson 3, Nemani Matirewa 2, Samisoni Yamai, Nick Watson, Jake Smith, Brad Brown, Jakob O'Connor tries, Sam Giltrap 3 conversions)

Wollongbar Alstonville (24) 32 (Josh Damen 3, Jake Lubrano 2 tries, Sam Kerry 2 conversions, penalty goal)

Lennox Head (7) 31(Penalty try, Martin McNamara, Lachlan Creagh, Rhys Tatum, Callum Jones tries, Berrick Barnes 2 conversions )

Casuarina Beach 45 (Mitch Planten 2, Casey Calder 2, Michael Coates, Webb Lillis, Tuveia Leon tries, Vitori Buatava 5 conversions)

Grafton 15 (James Hughes 2, Lewis Cooper tries)

Bangalow (10) 19 (Jona Kalousese Waqa try, Chase Hay 4 penalty goals, conversion)

Casino (7) 14 (Josefa Lalabalavu, Leone Tuilakeda tries, Jacob Dunn, Bryce Spencer conversions )

Point Score – Ballina 5, Casuarina 5, Wollongbar 5, Bangalow 4, Lennox 2, Casino 1, Grafton 0, Lismore 0

Reserve Grade

Mullumbimby 34 Casino 7

Ballina 41 Lismore 17

Wollongbar 33 Lennox Head 19

Casuarina 62 Grafton 8

Under 18s

Mullumbimby 21 Casino 0

Lismore 38 Kyogle 10

Women's

Ballina 27 Lismore 5

Lennox Head 20 Wollongbar 0

Evans River 22 Casino 0

Presidents Cup

Iluka 24 Southern Cross University 19

Tenterfield 14 Kyogle 12

Byron Bay 45 Richmond Range 5