Seagulls stay on top in Retravision Northern League
Ballina Seagulls maintained top spot on the Retravision Northern Rugby League pointscore with a 38-16 win over Murwillumbah Mustangs at Kingsford Smith Park, Ballina, today.
Despite the apparent ease of the win, it wasn’t all one-way traffic for Ballina.
The Seagulls made a bright start and skipped away to a 24-6 lead, but a try just before half-time put Murwillumbah back in the match at 24-12.
The Mustangs scored first in the second half to trail 24-16, and had the better of the first 30 minutes of the second half.
But three tries in the final eight minutes sealed the win for Ballina.
Ballina won a reserve grade thiller 20-18, kicking a long-range penalty goal after the full-time siren had sounded.
The Seagulls also had a narrow win in Under-18s, 22-20.
Ballina are at home to Grafton Ghosts next Sunday, a match they should win.
BALLINA 38 (Luke Bartlett, Stuart Cohen, Matt Gibson, Willie Hammond, Ryan Paczkowski, Ed Killingbeck, Brenton Cochrane tries; Andrew Battese 5 goals) d MURWILLUMBAH MUSTANGS 16 (Jeff Moate 2, Shannon Murphy tries; Jason Willis 2 goals). Referee: Peter O’Connor.
