Mullumbimby took home the ‘Cook Cup’ after beating Murwillumbah in first grade. Photo Elna Nelson
The Mullumbimby Giants have played their way back into the top four of local, first-grade rugby league with a solid 30–14 win over the Murwillumbah Mustangs, after leading 24–4 at half time.
‘We were dominant in the first half but they gave us a bit of a scare in the second half. But we were definitely the best on the day,’ coach Cody Nelson said.
The win also means Mullumbimby took home the Grant Cook Memorial Cup for 2023.
The side has a lost a couple of games against the better teams in recent weeks but has been strengthened with the return of key players from injury, and other players returning to the team.
‘Corey Morris got the itch to play again, which changed things dramatically,’ he said.
The side is now brimming with confidence to tackle the rest of the season, especially as some of the better teams are getting beaten by lower-placed sides.
‘All the good teams can be beaten on a day. There are no stand-out favorites this year. If we turn up like we did yesterday and play football, there isn’t a team we can’t beat,’ he said.
Next week there is no football owing to the long weekend, but on Sunday June 18 the Giants host local rivals Byron Bay at Les Donnelly Field.
‘There’ll be some footy in it, we are definitely looking for a win,’ Cody said.
Ladies win
The day got off to a good start when the women’s touch team notched up a rare win beating the Mustangs 18–4 in Ladies League Touch. It was the team’s first win in over two years.
In the other grades the games belonged to Murwillumbah with both the U/18s and Reserve-grade sides collecting 60–0 wins.
