Lismore City's First Grade side fought back hard after a slow start in their encounter with the Ballina Seahorses on Saturday.

For the second week in a row, the First Grade side was short of players with several changes being made prior to kick off.

Ballina were able to race to an early 12-0 lead after just eight minutes before is shocked the Lismore side into their work.

Lismore battled back with a try to veteran Gavin Tulk, followed by a try to fullback Adam Road to even the scores at 12-12.

Ballina crossed again before halftime to lead 19-12.

Field position and possession proved to be a problem for City in the second half, allowing the Seahorses to convert this into points as the match went on.

Tulk crossed for his second try late in the match but unfortunately it was too late, with Ballina running out 38-19 winners.

The Lismore backline impressed, with centres Xavier Tiseni and Julian Thompson, Rodd and winger Joey Davis all having strong hit outs.

In an impressive start to the season, the Lismore Reserve Grade team had a comfortable 34-7 win.

The selectors got the right mix of youth and experience, with the veterans working hard around the field and the young guns piling on the points.

Best for City were father and son combo Tony and Zac Flood and brothers Fraser and Austin Ruane.

FAR NORTH COAST RUGBY UNION                       

Round 2 Results 22nd April 2023

First Grade

Byron Shire Rebels 60(Campbell Harvey 3, Robert Taylor, Sol Hyde, Eden Cruickshank, Benji Clarke, Angus Wilbourn, John Turagabeci, Manu Ojeda tries, Dominic Tydeman 5 conversions) d Casino 12(Cameron Davis, Harold Torrens tries, Jayden Torrens conversion)

Half Time: Byron Shire 22 - Casino 7

Ballina 38(Stan Lolohea 2, Emori Rairailevu 2, Wilson Lovokuro, Arthur Penisini tries, Nick Byron 4 conversions) d Lismore 19(Gavin Tulk 2, Adam Rodd tries, Joseph Davis 2 conversions)

Half Time: Ballina 19 - Lismore 12

Casuarina Beach 18(Webb Lillis 6 penalty goals) d Wollongbar Alstonville 12(Steven Mison, Daniel Damen tries, Ben Damen conversion

Half Time: Casuarina 12 - Wollongbar 5

Point Score – Byron Shire 10, Casuarina 9, Wollongbar 6, Ballina 5, Lismore 0, Casino 0

2nd Grade

Byron Shire Rebels 31 d Casino 19 

Lismore 34 d Ballina 7

Wollongbar 19 d Casuarina 14

Point Score – Byron Shire Rebels 10, Wollongbar 9, Casuarina 6, Lismore 5, Casino 0, Ballina 0

Presidents Cup

Evans River 24 d Southern Cross Uni 18

Yamba 30 d Kyogle 0

Richmond Range 41 d Mullumbimby 5

Point Score – Richmond Range 10, Yamba 10, Evans River 10, SCU 1, Mullumbimby 1, Lennox Head 0, Kyogle 0

Under 18's

Lennox Head 45 d Casuarina 7

Next Week's Matches 29th April

1st Grade

Casino v Lismore

Byron Shire Rebels v Casuarina Beach

Wollongbar v Ballina

2nd Grade

Casino v Lismore

Byron Shire Rebels v Casuarina Beach

Wollongbar v Ballina

Presidents Cup

Evans River v Mullumbimby

Richmond Range v Kyogle

Southern Cross Uni v Lennox Head

Yamba - Bye

Women's 12's

Richmond Range v Lismore

Byron Shire Rebels v Casuarina Beach

Evans River - Bye

Under 18's Colts

Evans River v Casuarina

Lennox Head v Lismore at SCU

Barbarians - Bye