A half-time spray for the ages from Lismore Rugby Club's coach Ray Taylor did the trick but the coach after the game asked his players if he needed to do it before the kick-off in future.

Lismore had the home advantage against Casino, one of the clubs Taylor believed his side could compete with and potentially beat.

"In the first half my players were not doing anything, they looked scared, did not want to tackle. They were making Casino look good. It was bloody embarrassing," Taylor told the Lismore App.

When the half-time whistle blew Casino led 31-3 and then came Taylor's spray which he hoped none of the spectators heard.

"I basically told them to grow a set, to show a bit of mongrel," he said.

It was Reserve Grade player Zane Hepton who spearheaded the turnaround after he was brought on 10 minutes before half-time. He took a ball from the kick off in the second half and carried it 40 metres to near the Bulls tryline.

"Zane is just a kid, a massive kid, who is strong, well-built. But he is lazy, does not come to training. He could be something," said Taylor.

Hepton and another youngster Tyler Coveney monstered the Casino forwards in the second half as Hepton, Gus MacDougall and Gavin Tulk went over for tries.

Lismore captain Brendan Williams breaks through the Casino defence in the second half. Photo: Greg Martin

"It got back to 31-24 and there was still five or six minutes left. We pushed an unnecessary pass and from the interception Casino went in and scored." said Taylor.

"I told the players 'be pleased with the second half but we still lost. Last year we were putting ourselves in situations to win games.

"I asked the players if I needed to do the spray before kick-off. They have to stop feeling sorry for themselves."

Taylor said Coveney was named player of the match, with Hepton getting two points and Angus MacDougall and Marcus Hannaway one point.

"Zane made a lot of ground for us when he had the bit between his teeth. Marcus had a very good game too," said Taylor.

Another Reserve Grade player Nathan Carbery started as hooker after Chris Doolan texted Taylor that he was carrying an injury hours before the start. Jed Lisetto was also unavailable from the original side and he was replaced by Reserve Grade player Ethan Poole, who also had a good second half.

Lismore face Bangalow next Saturday in the last of the three matches Taylor had earmarked as "winning potential".

"If we are to stand a chance the players have to come to training. It is not good enough to just turn up on a Saturday," he added.

Lismore Rugby Club players and coaching staff, officials and Casino Bulls players observe a minute's silence in memory of Ian Hooper. Photo: Greg Martin

A Minute's Silence was held before the start of the match in memory of the popular and influential rugby figure Ian Hooper, who died after refereeing a Reserve Grade match at Lennox Head last Saturday. Mr Hooper, who lived at Georgica, was Far North Coast Rugby Referees Association's Chairman of Coaching and Grading, Referee Appointments Officer, Referee Coach.

Far North Coast Rugby Union Round 5 results

First Grade

Casino 38 (31) Penalty Try, Harrison Cusack 2, Elliott Birmingham, Sililo Stavenow, Nick Armstrong tries, Harrison 3 conversions

Lismore 24 (3) (Gavin Tulk, Angus MacDougall, Zane Hepton tries, Andrew Sky 3 conversions, penalty goal

Wollongbar Alstonville 62 (38) Ben Damen 2, Sam Kerry 2, Matt Nean, Daniel Damen, Alex Gibbon, Angus Thearle, Austin Markwort, Keegan Isbester tries, Sam Kerry 6 conversions)

Bangalow 0 (0)

Byron Bay 26 (12) Romey Vassell 2, Ed Randall 2 tries, Peter Gillespie 3 conversions

Southern Cross University 0 (0)

Casuarina Beach 29 (10) Josh Harman 2, Seb Lamilla, Mitch Planten tries, Michael Coates conversion

Lennox Head 19 (7) Hugo Marks 2, Callum S Jones tries, Hugo Marks 2 conversions)

Ballina 50 (24) Beau Clarke 3, Terry Ferguson, Tom Watson, Leigh Foster, Luke Simpson, Romulo Lewenqila tries, Terry Ferguson 5 conversions

Grafton 15 (7) Ed McGrath, Trevor Walters tries, Luke Worthing conversion, penalty goal

Point Score – Wollongbar 25, Casuarina 24, Lennox Head 15, Ballina 15, Byron Bay 15, Grafton 10, Casino 10, Bangalow 4, SCU 1, Lismore 0