Lismore Rugby Club's prop Greg Martin retired at the end of last season.

The plasterer, who has his own business, has Lismore Rugby Club pumping through his veins and is always at the club, helping the youngsters developing their game.

With the club short of prop forwards, the man affectionately known as Steggles, finally gave into temptation and agreed to play against Byron Bay in the Far North Coast Rugby Union competition at Lismore Rugby Park yesterday afternoon.

"It's always hard to just watch when numbers have been poor. I said if i can make a difference and inspire a few with my defence than it will help going into next week against W.A.R. (competition leaders Wollongbar Alstonville)," Martin said.

Lismore, yet to win this season, have lost the impact of enforcers Martin and Damian Cootes, who suffered a badly broken leg last season. Martin's involvement changed the entire side's mindset.

"Greg was always a big hitter," said coach Ray Taylor. "Yesterday, the first three big hits of the game were by Greg and Byron Bay is a big team in terms of size. Those shots inspired the others and all the players, the 19 we had there, they just owned up and never went away. It was very impressive. Greg was outstanding."

Lismore matched Byron Bay in the number of tries scored when Sammy Nilon scored on the final siren. He had earlier scored an intercept try, as did captain Brendan Williams who ran 70 metres to score. Hooker Cameron Bryant and front rower Ben Carroll also scored tries.

"Our 19 players, which included coaching staff Josh Creighton and Scott Lancaster, really wanted to play footy. I was so proud of them out there," said Taylor.

"We lost our other prop Marcus Ellison with rib damage early on and had to reshuffle. But the players were totally committed to the cause .

"We lost the game because of the 10 minutes before half-time. We were leading 15-5 and dominating them when we lost appeared to lose concentration and shape. We kicked out on the full after they scored and they ran in three tries. At half-time it was 26-15 to Byron Bay.

"It was five tries a piece and if you look at it coldly, the difference was in the conversions and penalties. But everyone was sensational and it was hard to give points as no-one really deserved not to get one or two," Taylor said.

"Brendan Williams was a stand out once again and Jake Lennon in the centres was great. The Players' Player of the Match was shared between Greg Martin and the hooker Cameron Bryant. The points went to Greg Martin and Jake lennon, Brendan Williams and young half-back Jack Everingham.

"The good thing is that the blokes out there yesterday will want to get to training. The sad thing is that the rest who did not turn up, did not see it and will not feel part of it."

Martin, who will be 40 years old on Friday, told the Lismore App that he did not intend to play every Saturday.

"I told Ray not to expect me every week. I have only signed registration for a week at this stage. I am not playing next Saturday but I intend to play against Southern Cross University," he said.

"That was my first game in nine months. My legs say no to any more, my upper body says yes. Come Monday I will feel like I was in a car wreck."

Lismore 32 (15) Sam Nilon 2, Brenden Williams, Cameron Bryant, Ben Carroll tries, Andrew Sky, James Grubb conversions, Andrew Sky penalty goal

Byron Bay 36 (26) Romey Vassell 2, Jascha Saeck 2, Jordan Elliott tries, Peter Gillespie 4 conversions, penalty goal

Other FNC Rugby Union First Grade Round 10 results

Wollongbar Alstonville 46 (24) Louis Hollman 2, Daniel Damen 2, Alex Gibbon, Bill Johnston, Josh Damen, James Vidler tries, Ben Damen 3 conversions

Ballina 10 (0) Leigh Foster, Luke Simpson tries

Southern Cross University 13(6) Matt McMullen try, Will Hawkins conversion, 2 penalty goals

Bangalow 10 (10) Sam Campbell try, Blake Neilsen conversion, penalty goal)

Lennox Head 21(7) Jacob Carter, Jack Norman, Rhys Tatum tries, Matthew Bermingham 3 conversions

Casino 15 (8) Harrison Cusack, Ben Collison tries, Harrison Cusack conversion, penalty goal

Casuarina Beach 33 (19) Mitch Planten 2, Richard White 2, Webb Lillis tries, Webb Lillis 4 conversions

Grafton 31(5) Zac Mason-Gale 2, Jack Anderson, Kyle Hancock, Gus Wilson tries, Adam Smidt 3 conversions

Point Score – Wollongbar 50, Casuarina 35, Lennox Head 34, Ballina 31, Byron Bay 29, Grafton 29, Casino 19, SCU 14, Bangalow 11, Lismore 7 (5 points awarded for Casuarina fielding an ineligible player on May 18)