"It went right down to the wire."

With two minutes to go, Southern Cross University Rugby Union First Grade five-eighth Will Hawkins kicked a 40-metre penalty to put his side ahead against Casino 22-19 in the Far North Coast Rugby Union competition.

The Gold Rats had not won a match all season.

Casino then kicked off deep into the SCU Gold Rats' territory and, according to coach Harry Witt, his players controlled the ball for 10 phases of play before Hawkins kicked the ball as far as he could off the pitch before the referee blew for full-time.

"The players jumped on each other like they had won the Grand Final. Some of them had never won a game of rugby before," Witt told the Lismore App.

"I hope this is contagious. There are a good team, they are good players, they just have to have that belief."

The Gold Rats' Johnson Porykali tries to get through the Casino defence with Isaac Penfold and Matt Murray behind and Rhys Harrison on the ground. Photo: Josh Condon

In a war of attrition, Hawkins' penalty was the only score of the second half.

In the first half the Gold Rats had scored three tries with a 40-metre dash by Hawkins the highlight. Second rowers Matt Murray and Kirk Taylor-Brown also got over for tries. Hawkins and Michael McMullen converted two of the tries. Unfortunately Casino had also scored three tries and kicked two conversions.

Gold Rats' Kirk Taylor-Brown streaks away to score a try in the first half against Casino. Photo: Josh Condon

"At half-time Steve Spinks and I told the players to control the ball, put the ball in their territory whenever possible, stay positive, encourage each other and play to win," said Witt.

"Will Hawkins and Kirk Taylor-Brown were simply outstanding.

"You could not fault the forwards for anything they did. Jake Creagh was very hard to stop and Dean Buchanan, in his debut, controlled things really well. He had a shot on one of the Casino guys, it was a good tackle, and the Casino bloke lost the ball. It was inspiring."

Gold Rats' debutant Dean Buchanan charges into the Casino forwards with Pat Kelly and Riley Spencer in support. Photo: Josh Condon

SCU RU President Josh Condon told the Lismore App he was extremely pleased.

"I'm so proud of how the boys have stayed together and have worked hard to improve every week," he said.

"Hopefully we now have the confidence to challenge all opponents and get a few more wins."

Southern Cross University Gold Rats coach Harry Witt has seen his side win after six losses. Photo: Josh Condon

Southern Cross University 22 (19) Will Hawkins, Kirk Taylor Brown, Matt Murray tries, Will Hawkins, Michael McMullen conversions, Will Hawkins penalty goal

Casino 19 (19) Jake Roberts 2, Harrison Cusack tries, Harrison Cusack 2 conversions

Far North Coast Rugby First Grade Round 7 Other Results

Wollongbar Alstonville 29 (21) Sam Kerry 2, James Vidler, Alex Gibbon tries, Sam Kerry 3 conversions, penalty goal)

Byron Bay 19 (5) Romey Vassell, Mark Howard, James Boozer tries, Peter Gillespie, Tom Brooks conversions

Casuarina Beach 29 (14) Mitch Planten 2, Webb Lillis, Jack Jones, Corey Morris tries, Michael Coates 2 conversions

Lismore 20 (7) Gavin Tulk, Andrew Sky, Brenden Williams tries, Andrew Sky conversion, penalty goal

Lennox Head 43 (22) Sam Dwyer 3, Jacob Carter, John Clark, Callum Jones, Harry Bungate tries, Sam Fitzgerald 4 conversions

Grafton 37 (17) Dwayne Duke 2, Zac Mason-Gale 2, Ed McGrath, Ryan Spies tries, Luke Worthing 2 conversions, penalty goal

Ballina 55 (19) Tupou Lolohea 3, Luke Simpson 3, Leigh Foster 2, Brad Brown tries, Terry Ferguson 5 conversions

Bangalow 19 (5) Otty Fifita, Tim Cohen, Blake Neilsen tries, Blake Neilsen 2 conversions

Points Score – Casuarina 33, Wollongbar 30, Lennox Head 25, Ballina 21, Byron Bay 17, Grafton 17, Casino 13, Bangalow 9, SCU 5, Lismore 0