Ghosts beat Comets in clash of Group 2 prizefighters
A MASSIVE performance from Grafton Ghosts second-rower Don Dickson has helped lead the side to a 36-8 victory over Coffs Comets in the first Clem Rankin Shield match.
Billed as a potential grand final preview, the Ghosts and Comets let nobody down as they traded blows like prizefighters for the 80 minutes.
After a tight first half in which Grafton held a14-8 lead, the home side came out firing in the second to overcome the previously undefeated Comets 36-8.
Elsewhere, South Grafton Rebels pipped Orara Valley Axemen 22-18, and Sawtell Panthers dominated Woolgoolga Seahorses 50-28.
Lower Clarence Magpies showed positive signs but still slumped to a loss in their NRRRL match against Byron Bay Red Devils yesterday.
GROUP 2
First grade
Grafton Ghosts 36 def Coffs Comets 8 at Frank McGuren Field.
Macksville Sea Eagles 62 def Bellingen Magpies 20 at Allen GIllett Oval, Macksville.
Sawtell Panthers 50 def Woolgoolga Seahorses 28 at Rex Hardaker Oval, Sawtell.
South Grafton Rebels 22 def Orara Valley Axemen 18 at Coramba Coliseum, Coramba.
Reserve grade
Grafton Ghosts 22 def Coffs Comets 10.
Macksville Sea Eagles 50 def Bellingen Magpies 4.
Sawtell Panthers 32 def Woolgoolga Seahorses 28.
Orara Valley Axemen 28 drew South Grafton Rebels 28.
Under-18s
Coffs Comets 19 def Grafton Ghosts 6.
Macksville Sea Eagles 18 def Bellingen Magpies 16.
Sawtell Panthers 34 def Woolgoolga Seahorses 28.
NRRRL
First grade
Byron Bay Red Devils 64 def Lower Clarence Magpies 14 at Maclean Showground, Maclean.
Northern United 42 def Evans Head Bombers 18 at Crozier Field, Lismore.
Kyogle Turkeys 30 def Ballina Seagulls 28 at Kingsford Smith Park, Ballina.
Mullumbimby Giants 24 def Marist Brothers Rams 18 at Les Donnelly Field, Mullumbimby.
Murwillumbah Mustangs 32 def Casino Cougars 22 at Stan Sercombe Oval, Murwillumbah.
Reserve grade
Byron Bay Red Devils 42 def Lower Clarence Magpies 10.
Northern United 24 def Evans Head Bombers 22.
Ballina Seagulls 42 def Kyogle Turkeys 24.
Marist Brothers Rams 26 def Mullumbimby Giants 12.
Murwillumbah Mustangs 46 def Casino Cougars 10.
Under-18s
Lower Clarence Magpies 42 def Byron Bay Red Devils 22.
Kyogle Turkeys 44 def Ballina Seagulls 18
Marist Brothers Rams 6 def Mullumbimby Giants 4.
Murwillumbah Mustangs def Casino Cougars (forfeit).
