Southern Cross University Rugby Club turned the city of Lismore gold with a deserved 24-5 victory over their arch rivals at Lismore Rugby Park.

Centre Matt McMullen scored a hat-trick of tries, which Gold Rats president Josh Condon admitted was the club's first try hat-trick in many years.

Twelve months ago the Gold Rats lost twice to Lismore in a season where SCU failed to win one match. The victory yesterday was the Gold Rats' second of the season and they will go into their next match against Bangalow, who bat them 10-6 in round 1, confident of avenging that loss.

Southern Cross University Gold Rat Matt McMullen races away for one of his three tries. Photo: Josh Condon

The transformation in the club was evident in the first half as the Gold Rats defended stoutly and dominated the scrums and line-outs despite Lismore having most of the ball and territory.

"Lismore did not look like they were going to score a try as most of the time they bwere between the 22 yard line and halfway. We defended very strongly and were strong at the scrum and at the line-outs," Spinks told the Lismore App.

"It was scoreless until Matt McMullen raced after a kick ahead and the ball bounced into his arms and he raced 50 metres to score a try with about 10 minutes to halftime."

With the Gold Rats only five points up at half-time, it was clear that the next score was crucial.

"We played a bit smarter with the ball in the second half and within the first 10 minutes Matt McMullen got away down the short side and ran 35 metres to score his second try," said Spinks.

"Then he scored another try when he grabbed the ball off a Lismore player and ran 20 metres to score under the posts. Will hawkins converted his last two tries.

"Then Lismore scored a try (through captain Brendan Williams) but we got a fourth when Matt McMullen got down the short side and fed the flanker Riley Spencer who went over for a try.

"Lismore are the arch rivals and it is always good to beat them."

Look at me. Matt McMullen, the Gold Rats centre, goes over for another try. Photo: Josh Condon

Spinks said his "big boppers" second row forwards Brad Sneath and Dean Buchanan dominated the Lismore forwards in the second half.

"Brad Sneath had his strongest game for the club and Dean was sensational. He has only played twice for us and we have won both times. Matt Murray and Kirk Taylor-Brown were, as always, strong.

"We were more enthusiastic than Lismore, who started to argue with themselves, and I think it's fair to say we are a much more resilient bunch of players now. We dominated the line out and the scrum."

This is getting too easy. Matt McMullen is in again and scored a hat-trick of tries, the first for a very long time at the Gold Rats. Photo: Josh Condon

Spinks said the Gold Rats have improved "out of sight" and while new coach Harry Witt has made a lot of difference, he said the players themselves had improved out of sight.

"Winning is important in that it gives the players that belief and what's more it means they come back to training, which means they improve even more," he said.

Southern Cross University 24 (5) Matt McMullen 3, Riley Spencer tries, Will Hawkins 2 conversions

Lismore 5 (0) Brendan Williams try

SCU side v Lismore, June 1, 2019: Mitch Bird, Isaac Penfold, Kirk Taylor-Brown, Dean Buchanan, Brad Sneath, Riley Spencer, Johnson Porykali, Matt Murray; Matt Anderson, Will Hawkins; Jake Henry , Matt McMullen, Pat Dawson, Rhys Harrison, Mick McMullen. Replacements: Ben Prozinski, Taylor Willlott, Lachlan Hills, Morgan Tickner

The victorious Southern Cross University Gold Rats after beating Lismore. Photo: Josh Condon

Far North Coast Rugby Union First Grade Round 9 Results

Wollongbar Alstonville 43 (29) Sam Kerry 2, Bill Johnston 2, Penalty Try, Louis Holmann, Josh Damen tries, Sam Kerry 3 conversions

Lennox Head 5(0) Rhys Tatum try

Grafton 24 (14) Dwayne Duke, Kyle Hancock, Zac Mason-Gale, Jack Anderson tries, Kyle Hancock 2 conversions

Bangalow 13 (8) Jed Erickson, Tim Mundy tries, Kye Spence penalty goal

Byron Bay 38 (14) Romey Vassell, Dan Morgan, Owain Roberts, Tom Brooks, Blake Whittakar tries, Peter Gillespie 5 conversions, penalty goal

Casuarina Beach 25 (15) Richard White 2, Luke Gyory, Timoci Rokosuka, Michael Coates tries

Ballina 29 17) Tupou Lolohea 2, Terry Ferguson, Nick Watson, Luke Simpson tries, Terry Ferguson 2 conversions

Casino 19 (7) Wilson Lovokuro, Jake Roberts, Ratu Vio Batibasaga tries, Harrison Cusack 2 conversions

Point Score – Wollongbar 40, Ballina 31, Lennox Head 30, Casuarina 30, Grafton 27,

Byron Bay 24, Casino 13, SCU 10, Bangalow 9, Lismore 0