The Macleay Valley Mustangs first grade side held off two surges from the Taree City Bulls to claim a 30-20 victory in the Group Three season opener on Sunday.
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The Mustangs never trailed in the match, but two lapses in the second half saw the Bulls level the scores.
The new halves pairing of Mal Webster and Anthony Cowan were impressive, especially without a pre-season match under their belts.
Webster opened the scoring with Cowan crossing next, both tries were unconverted as the Mustangs took an early 8-0 lead.
The Bulls narrowed the gap to two points with a try of their own before the Mustangs were reduced to 12-men when Cowan was sent to the sin bin for back chatting the referee.
Mustangs captain Dennis Ritchie slotted a penalty goal to extend the lead to 10-6 just before half-time.
The Bulls levelled the scores after the break but the Mustangs reinstated their lead through Webster and centre Steve Blair.
However, the Bulls didn’t go away as they clawed back to level the scores at 20.
The Mustangs finished the stronger of the two sides as Jason Smith raced away to score an intercept try and Nathan Davis sealed the match after he scored off a clever kick from Cowan.
It was a positive first hitout for the Mustangs after their pre-season fixtures were cancelled.
Their outside backs were threatening and the forward pack held their own in the middle.
The Mustangs reserve grade side came out on top 36-22 and coach Sam Drew said it should have been a larger victory.
“We scored a lot of tries but most of the conversions were missed,” Drew said.
“The match should have been put away a lot earlier than it was.”
A lack of match fitness allowed the Bulls to remain competitive in the match.
"In the later stages of both halves we dropped off and they came back into it,” he said.
“In a few weeks though our fitness will be better and we will be able to avoid that.”
The U18 1/2 side fell 24-22 in a grand final rematch while the League Tag team suffered a 26-6 loss.
Mustangs host Old Bar Pirates on Saturday.