A strong second half from Lismore was not enough to take the two competition points against Evans River on Saturday.

The Killer Whales got off to a strong start in the wet conditions, racing to a 14-0 lead in the first half.

The second half was a different story, with winger Julian Thompson, prop Mitch Fawcett and backrower Max Smith all crossing for 5 pointers in a 19 point second half, but Evans River managed to add two more tries to their tally to take the match 24-19.

The SCU Gold Rats forfeited to Wollongbar Alstonville after not securing enough numbers for the match.

In the local derby, the Casino Bulls defeated Richmond Range 28-17.

In the match of the round, Casuarina and Byron Shire could not be separated, finishing in a 10-10 draw.

In the biggest scoreline of the weekend, Ballina defeated Lennox Head 41-5 in muddy conditions at Quays Reserve.

The competition will have a break next weekend with the NSW Country Rugby Union Championship being held in Tamworth.

FAR NORTH COAST RUGBY UNION 

Round Results 1st June 2024

First Grade

Evans River 24(Jonathan Robinson, Matthew Francis, Zane Gaiter, Jack Semple tries, Michael Miskle 2 conversions) d Lismore 19(Julian Thompson, Mitchell Fawcett, Max Smith tries, Braeden Williams 2 conversions)

Half Time: Evans 14 – Lismore 0 

Casino 28(Cameron Davis 2, Ben Wainiqolo tries, Jayden Torrens 2 conversions, 3 penalty goals) d Richmond Range 17(Alex Gibbon, James Pankhurst, Nicholas Fuhrmann tries James Pankhurst conversion)

Half Time: Range 17 – Casino 3 

Casuarina Beach 10(Webb Lillis try, Kai George conversion, penalty goal) drew Byron Shire Rebels 10(Trevior Owens, John Turagabeci tries)

Half Time: Casuarina 10 – Byron 0

Ballina 41(Anthony Lolohea 2, Jack Kindred 2, Pierce Bryers, Stan Lolohea, Harry Bungate tries, Pierce Bryers 2, Jack Kindred conversions) d Lennox Head 5(Lachlan Miller try)

Half Time: Ballina 26 – Lennox 0

Wollongbar Alstonville 30 d SCU Gold Rats 0

Point Score – Ballina 25, Byron Shire 21, Wollongbar 20, Casino 14, Casuarina 13, Richmond Range 12, Evans 8, Lennox 6, Lismore 6, SCU 0

2nd Grade

Lismore 13 d Evans River 11

Casino 14 d Kyogle 0

Ballina 30 d Yamba 0

Wollongbar Alstonville 55 d Mullumbimby 0

Byron Shire Rebels 20 d Casuarina 5

Point Score – Byron 24, Wollongbar 20, Ballina 19, Casuarina 17, Casino 14, Kyogle 12, Lismore 9, Lennox 6, Evans River 5, Mullumbimby 5, Yamba 2

Women’s

Casuarina Beach 38 d Byron Shire Rebels 0

Point Score – Casino 11, Byron 10, Casuarina 6, Lismore 5

Under 18’s

Lennox Head 25 d Casuarina Beach 14

Point Score –Lennox 15, Yamba 10, Casuarina 8, Lismore 1, Ballina/WAR 0