"Ballina gave us a lesson today in how to play disciplined, error free football."

Marist Brothers Rams Coach, Mark Sivewright gave a very accurate summary of his side's battle with the Ballina Seagulls at Crozier Field on Sunday.

"There is a lot to take out of the loss, we just had too many mistakes and our discipline was poor."

After the earlier season loss to Ballina, Sivewright sighted the Seagulls as the benchmark of the competition, and his thoughts have not changed.

"We have processes in place but we just did not execute them today. We put ourselves under too much pressure and they are a team that will capitalise."

The match started well for Brothers with second rower Isaac Lee, breaking the line on the first set of the match and running 40 metres, before the Rams turned the ball over.

Brothers then had the arduous task of defending their line for eight minutes with repeat sets to Ballina after a number of errors.

Brothers' Mitchell Krause (right) and Matt Tickle wrap up Ballina's Matthew Koellner. Photo: Christine Butcher

The Rams defence held strong until Ballina second rower Matt Koellner eventually scored a converted try for Ballina to lead 6-0.

The windy conditions were a fullback's nightmare, with kicks swirling in the strong breeze.

The Brothers forward pack were making strong metres through the middle when they had the opportunity, but it was hard work in the stiff headwind.

A try to Ballina's Zac Beecher immediately after the quarter time break made the scoreline 10-0.

The Rams were then able to march down field through several strong runs from the Kennedy brothers, before a Rams attacking raid down the left side was intercepted by Ballina winger Jordan Sly, who ran 90m to score in the corner despite a determined chase by opposite winger Hezakiah McKenzie, taking the score to 14-0.

Brothers' Lachlan Kennedy takes on the Ballina defence. Photo: Christine Butcher

Brothers used the halftime break to regroup, focussing on field position with a strong wind behind them in the second half, and minimising the mistakes.

This seemed to spark the team into action, with a try close to the right-hand touch line to winger Hezakiah McKenzie after just five minutes of play.

The conversion was unsuccessful, but Brothers were on the scoreboard at 14-4.

Unfortunately for the Rams, the early defence started to take it's toll and within minutes, Ballina's best, Zac Beecher, crossed for his second try before winger Dwayne Anderson crossed out wide to take the scoreline out of Brothers reach at 22-4.

The last quarter was fairly even, with Brothers pack not taking a backward step and showing the passion that the home crowd was looking for.

The Seagulls Captain Luke Douglas kicked a penalty goal from in front and in the dying minutes Ballina crossed again to make the final score 28-4.

Marist Brothers Josh Patston on the outside of the defence. Photo: Christine Butcher

A number of strong runs and big hits defensively highlighted the last period, with Aiden Kennedy, Lachlan Kennedy, Lochlen Perren and second rowers Josh Patston and Isaac Lee all finishing the match strongly.

"We need to work hard at training this week as we have Northern United at Crozier Field next Sunday in a crucial match," said Sivewright.

"After Northern, we only have one more home game against Casino on 27 September, so we need to reward ourselves and our fans."