Replacement winger scores winning try in late clincher
REPLACEMENT winger Riley Taylor scored the winning try when Lismore City beat the Wollongbar-Alstonville Pioneers 27-23 at Lyle Park, Wollongbar, on Saturday.
It was the final play of the game and the young flyer showed plenty of resolve to plant the ball down in the corner to get his team out of jail.
It was the top-of-the-table clash played in tough conditions with tempers flaring throughout the match.
Lismore five-eighth Konelio Feaunati made the step up from reserve grade and was rewarded with a try-scoring double.
The Pioneers took a 10-0 lead into halftime and were in the box seat to go on with it.
However, City showed why they are the competition leaders and have now won seven in a row.
Halfback Justin Keir and fullback Adam Law were the best for the Pioneers.
In other games, The Southern Cross University Gold Rats gave Lennox Head a scare before eventually going down 39-14 at Williams Reserve, Lennox Head.
The Gold Rats led 14-5 at halftime after tries to prop Keith Morris and centre Luke Neal.
However, the Trojans dug in their heels in the second half with reliable five-eighth Paul Crozier leading the way with a try-scoring double.
Lennox Head piled on 34 unanswered points with No.8 Ben Rampling making a big impact when he came on from the bench.
Elsewhere, Ballina were back to their best with a 41-0 drubbing of the Grafton Redmen at Quays Reserve, Ballina.
Kye Spence made a successful switch from fullback to centre with a try-scoring double.
Flanker Sean Grace enjoyed his return to the top grade with a brilliant individual try.
In a big day for the Seahorses, club stalwart Craig Davy was named the newest life member at the club in the post-game presentation.
Davy, originally from England, won premierships in both grades and played more than 300 games at the club.
Bangalow wingers Harry Brown and Chris Bleakley had a day to remember in a 50-0 thumping of Casino at Albert Park, Casino.
Brown got a hat-trick with Bleakley finding the line twice with the Bulls still without a win this season.
Lismore 12 52
Lennox Head 12 46
Wollongbar-Alstonville 13 42
Byron Bay 11 34
Ballina 12 33
Bangalow 12 31
Grafton 13 23
SCU 11 7
Casino 12 2
