Tim Bull stars in his first grade debut.

Anthony Cowan's decision-making makes the difference.

There were plenty of headline options after the Macleay Valley Mustangs win over Wingham Tigers in Laurieton as the youngsters showed their strength yet again.

Before first grade ran out, reserve grade played in the pouring rain.

The Mustangs toiled hard but the Tigers proved difficult to overcome as they lost 24-4.

Wingham started strong in first grade with a play down the short-side reaping reward as winger Jarrod Sharp scored.

10 minutes later Nic Beachan went straight under the posts, barging over one defender to make it 12-0.

Soon after, the Mustangs earned a repeat set on the Tigers line but their defense held out.

The Tigers were rewarded for effort with an excellent grubber from Mick Sullivan putting Sharp over again.

Sullivan's control from halfback was on full display in the first half as the Tigers looked like they'd lead 16-0 at half-time.

The Mustangs had a different plan as Cowan kicked to the wing with Shane Davis scoring his side's first to make it 16-6 right on the bell.

The rain halted after the break but the mud stayed.

Tim Bull got a feel for the game late in the first-half and made his presence known in the second.

The first grade debutant started an excellent blind-side play from hooker, about thirty metres out from the try-line.

Passes exchanged hands around five times with great support play before Bull finished what he started.

Throwing the ball high in celebration as his team swamped him.

Around the 55^th minute, Miles Mongta went over for a contentious four-pointer after an excellent grubber from Cowan with the latter converting to make it 18-16.

Twenty minutes to go and Wingham were in again.

Winger Fletcher Lewis keeping his feet in field with an excellent finish.

The score now 20-18 as Sullivan attempted to rally the troops with his words.

Macleay Valley found themselves in an attacking position with fifteen minutes to go as the Tigers committed a head high tackle right in front of the posts.

Cowan opted to tap before a six again and another penalty followed.

The Mustangs captain-coach continued to look for a try and his faith paid off.

A cross kick to the wing landed in the hands of only one possible Mustang - Miles Mongta.

The youngster, who scored the match-winner last week with a debut hat-trick, put the ball down to send the side into a massive cheer.

Cowan failed to convert as the score read 22-20.

Ill discipline crept into the Tigers as a warning for head high tackles was given.

The Mustangs earned a repeat set with around four minutes left before another penalty was given.

Cowan opted for two and delivered.

Two minutes later the referees whistle sounded at 24-20 as the loyal travelling Mustangs supporters hit play on Mustang Sally.

Captain-coach Cowan couldn't have been happier with his youngsters performances.

"We've had about 9 or 10 debutants so far in two games which is a good thing for the club moving forward," he said.

"We've got a lot of options which helps our piggies in the middle, with Rocko, the Barker boys, Ryano [Ryan Taylor], Reno [French] - Ethan can play in the middle, so can Selwyn [Smith], Ivan Madden, Ethan Cooper - just all these young kids.

"To come from 16-0 down, it just shows that never die attitude.

"It's only the second round in and Wingham are a tough side but we knew we just had to stay in that grind and win the ball back and we'd pile on the points."

The decision to not kick for two was almost deja vu for Cowan.

Last week they had the option but declined and Mongta scored as the same sequence of events occurred.

He trusts in his team's ability.

"It's about belief, stick to your guns and you'll come out on top and we ended up scoring so that's a good thing we can take out of the games and move onto next week," he explained.

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