THEY did it the hard way, but the Grafton Ghosts are the Group 2 premiers.

The Ghosts led 16-6 for most of the game before a late Coffs Comets fightback threatened to steal victory, only for Coffs halfback Nathan Curry's boot to send the ball the wrong side of the posts.

Despite a late flurry of attacking chances, the scores were locked at the full-time siren.

Possession and field position went both ways before the match official blew a penalty in the Ghosts favour about 45m from the posts.

Ghosts captain-coach Ryan Farrell asked centre Matt Muller if he had the distance.

"He said 's**t yeah', so I gave him the shot," Farrell said.

What makes Farrell's trust in his sharpshooter all the more special is Muller had converted only two of his four previous attempts.

Muller struck it wonderfully, splitting the posts in two before the Grafton crowd erupted.

"I wasn't kicking too flash," Muller said.

"As soon as I kicked it, I knew it was going over.

"I'm still shaking, I've got goosebumps - this is amazing."

The penalty sealed an 18-16 premiership win for the Ghosts, in what is their first year in Group 2. It also put an exclamation point on the day for Grafton after reserve grade's success.

RESULTS

First grade:

Grafton Ghosts 18 def Coffs Comets 16

Reserve grade:

Grafton Ghosts 30 def Coffs Comets 10

U18s:

South Grafton Rebels 36 def Sawtell Panthers 4