A less than flattering score line was not representative of the physical effort put in by the first XV, who never stopped trying. However, Lismore City are due full credit for their win, which they achieved by keeping the ball away from casino’s powerful forward pack.
Proceedings in the opening stanza saw City score an early try from some incisive backline running, but casino quickly struck back with a slick backline try of their own to Brenton Fuller which came from a scrum deep in city territory after hard-running flanker Jarrad Cameron broke through the Lismore line, with winger Fuller converting his own try. The remainder of the half did not go the Bulls’ way, and the Bulls conceded a number of soft tries to City, mainly the results of lapses in concentration on defence.
The Bulls struck back after half-time with a try to rangy back-rower Tim Gould which was the result of some deft interchange with his brother Adam and some solid lead-up work by the Casino forwards. In the end though, the dam burst and City ran away with the match 50-12, outclassing the Casino men in the backs. Bright spots for the Bulls were an improved lineout and some great ball running from the forwards in patches, something that can definitely be built upon in the coming weeks.
Michael Barnes and Adam Gould tried hard all day in the backline to share the best and fairest points with the diligent Mark McCormack. Tim Gould was players’ player.
Reserve Grade went down 19-12 in a very tight encounter with a determined City outfit. The Casino defence was very strong and a little more direction on attack could have seen the result go Casino’s way in a match that came down to the wire. The Bulls showed their physicality when city had the ball in hand with some crunching tackles in the backline being a particular highlight of the match. Glen Pollard was excellent with the ball in hand for 3 points, Carl Tahatu proved his class again for the 2 and scrum half Mick Sherry provided some sublime service for 1 point.
Last weekend was a bye for all teams in the competition but Bulls fans can catch the team in their next home game against the Southern Cross University Gold Rats this Saturday 15th May.
The Bulls Man
