The Mullumbimby Giants made it two wins from two starts with a nail-biting 38–34 win over Northern United in their NRRRL clash at Les Donnelly Field on Sunday.
The Blue-and-Golds, under the calm guiding hand of new coach Dallas Waters, were the classier side throughout, but they were never quite able to bury the other mob. With the ref blowing a gale of penalties for them in the second half, the Dirrawongs persistently threatened to steal an unwarranted victory – like unwelcome in-laws, they just would not go away.
Under a pounding sun, the Giants allowed United to assume a worrying 18–8 advantage.
Evergreen halfback and captain, Roy ‘Liberty’ Bell, who was a rock of composure throughout a topsy-turvy eighty minutes, scored before Beckett got his second and Jack ‘the Lad’ Govett went in next to the sticks to make it 26–18 at the break.
The slicker Giants, whose passing was quicksilver when they hung on to the pill, were running their opponents off their legs.
The second stanza commenced with Mullum letting their guard down allowing United to scored the easiest of tries to get them to within two.
The sides again traded tries before Bell sealed the deal when he saw a gap and shot through it.
Earlier, coach Robert Goodacre and his reserves won 48–14 while in the Women’s League Tag the Giants completed the trifecta with a spirited 20–10 victory.
