Revenge for Byron Bay Rugby

For all its recent success, Byron Bay Rugby did something last Saturday it hasn’t done in five years. They beat Kyogle away.

To put their 28-0 win in perspective, the Bay lost only one competition game last season – away to Kyogle. The Bay was then denied a place in the Grand Final when Kyogle won 3-0 in a dour semi final played in atrocious conditions.

It remains to be seen whether Byron can achieve the ultimate revenge and claim a premiership trophy in 2012 but the team remains undefeated after three rounds, scalping Bangalow, Mullumbimby and last season’s champions Kyogle along the way.

After a tense and physical opening 10 minutes, Byron scored first when classy prop Wal Andrews powered over the line on the back of a dominant forward platform. Halfback Nathan Nicholls gave the Bay a decisive advantage soon after when he ran the ball from his own quarter, sniping behind Kyogle’s ruck defence before releasing Tom Sandstrom who ran 60 metres to score.

Down 14-0 at the break, Kyogle rallied and seemed certain to score from a long range intercept only to be denied by Harry Hancock’s try saving heroics. Byron regained control through their excellent pack and put the issue beyond doubt when Nicholls scored from Michael Armstrong’s run from the back of the scrum.