Ross Kendall
Byron Bay rugby collected their second win of the season when they took on local rivals Bangalow and came away with a 24–10 win.
In a strong all-round team performance the centre pairing of Wal Andrews and Romey Vassell were standout players in the game, as was second rower Will Alsake, Byron captain Craig Wallace said.
Despite travelling up the hill to Bangalow’s Schultz Oval the Byron side had the run of much of the play and certainly dominated the first half but for a late try to the home side, which still left the hosts trailling by six points at the break.
Byron continued to dominate field position and ran out winners four tries to two.
Byron had a win in the opening round of the competition against Lismore, but last Saturday’s effort was more ‘convincing’, Craig said.
‘It was good to see the side starting to click. What we have been working on at training started to come through and everyone was starting to buy in,’ he said.
‘We are starting to get the shape of what we want to do this season,’ he said.
The game was played in front of a strong home crowd plus plenty of Byron supporters as well.
‘The game was played in great spirit and it was good to see strong support for local rugby,’ he said.
The win leaves Byron Bay in fifth position just below Ballina.
Bangalow are third from the bottom and face a tough test this weekend when they travel to take on persistent premiers Wollongbar Alstonville, who are again at the top of the table with four wins from four starts.
Byron Bay take on Southenr Cross University at home at the Recreation Grounds this Saturday.
