Northern United totally dominated Cudgen Hornets in Kingscliff to record their first victory in Round 2 of the 10-week NRRRL 2020 competition.

"It was a great win and will give the guys a bit of confidence going forward," said United coach Dallas Waters of 32-12 win.

"The preparation was great leading into the game. That performance came straight from the training ground."

Barely two minutes had gone when the Dirrawongs' experienced prop forward Djaan Jarrett was knocked unconscious when making a tackle.

"When Djaan went off the guys did not deviate from the game plan. They reinforced it," said Waters, who added that Jarrett's player welfare was now uppermost in the club's mind.

Cudgen went on the offensive and got to within five metres of the Northern United try line before kicking the ball dead. From the restart, after four tackles, United moved the ball at speed from right to left where captain Clarence Kelly drew the Hornets winger into the field of play and released winger Danzel Dangerfield, who then sped along the touchline before drawing the Hornets' full-back and passing back to Clarence Kelly who scored with ease. Four minutes of actual play had elapsed and the try was breathtaking for the speed and skill of Clarence Kelly and Denzel Dangerfield. Roy Bell converted to make it 6-0.

United took the score out to 12-0 with a Danzel Dangerfield try when Cudgen threw everything at United, who determinedly held them out. When a Cudgen forward knocked on in the United half, scrum half Roy Bell took the ball from the ground, turned and ran down the wing before feeding full-back Brett Kelly who showed his explosive pace to streak away for the third try, which was not converted to make it 16-0 to United.

United's halves Roy Bell and Trevor Bolt took control of the match from the outset off the back of a determined and dominant display from the forwards, led by Theo Hippo. There was constant communication and lots of back slaps and cajoling from United.

"Roy and Trevor had very good games. It was one of the key things we needed to improve on," said Waters, referring to the control needed to be exacted by Bell and Bolt.

Brett Kelly kicked a huge penalty from halfway to push the lead to eighteen points at half-time.

Cudgen knocked on under pressure with the tryline at their mercy early into the second half and it became end-to-end attacks and spirited defence. A penalty saw Northern United's prop forward Jirra Breckenridge drive forward into the centre of the goal, where Roy Bell fed the ball out to Brett Kelly, who was stopped just short of the line. But Brett Kelly's rapid play the ball saw hooker Dennis Smith, move the ball to centre Fred Pitt who put winger Ant Skinner over in the corner. Ant Skinner ran around to give Brett Kelly a doddle of a conversion.

Northern United 22 Cudgen 0 at half-time.

Roy Bell capped a fine performance when he scored a try off his own kick as United peppered the Cudgen tryline after Cudgen had scored two tries. Brett Kelly missed a fairly easy conversion.

Bell was not finished and produced a majestic crossfield kick into centre Fred Pitt's arms as the ball went into the in goal. Brett Kelly missed the conversion.

With the score 32-8, Northern United let in another try but it capped a fine team performance.

"The lan was to go forward first and every one the forwards did their job, including the bench players. This meant good clean early ball for Roy and Trevor to push the ball sideways with Clarence, Fred and Brett looking to get away," said Waters.

Brett Kelly looked dangerous every time he had the ball.

"Brett's warming to it. He is his biggest critic but he is starting to hit his straps. He is a handful to contain, fast hands, deceptively strong," said Wates, who praised the communication in attack and defence.

"I have good standards, expectations. This is only the start of it," Waters added.

Northern United make the short trip to 2019 Premiers Ballina next Sunday. Ballina are unbeaten in two matches.

NRRRL Round 2

Cudgen 12 Northern United 32

Marist Brothers 16 Ballina 28

Tweed Coast 30 Casino 6

Murwillumbah 36 Bilambil 38

Byron Bay 26 Mullumbimby 12