BOTH teams ran onto Geoff King Motors Oval on Saturday with a mission.

For the Coffs Harbour Comets it was to turn their early season two-game winning streak into a hat-trick and for the Nambucca Roosters it was to re-establish their form following a round two ‘shock loss’ to South Grafton.

Early in the game both teams conceded penalties that provided opportunities, however when the balance tipped in the visitors favour the Roosters’ Dane Saunders crossed the line for the first points on the board at just over ten minutes into the game.

It took another thirteen minutes of grind from both teams until a combination of chip and grubber kicks put Nambucca fullback Robbie Smith over for a try.

Nambucca’s kicker Tyronne Roberts-Davis was able to convert both tries and when a Ben Langford try put the Roosters up 16 – 0 by half-time it was clear the Comets had their work cutout in the second half.

Right from the kickoff in the second term it was apparent that Coffs Harbour had lifted and were relentless both with the ball and in defence.

This renewed vigour put the Roosters off balance and six minutes into the half the Comet’s Bennet Bar Reech found space on the Roosters left edge and got his side on the scoreboard with a converted try.

Within minutes the same man crossed again and followed his own success with a third try, all converted by Nathan Curry, to steal the lead away from Nambucca.

With the game now very much in the balance, frustration crept into both packs and an incident saw each side have a player head to the sin bin 22 minutes into the half.

Inside the final ten minutes some outstanding handling in attack by the home side put the Comets number 10 Luke Key across the line and his converted try had them in front 24 – 16.

The Nambucca Roosters were far from giving up and with just five minutes left in the game a converted try by Brody Simon closed the gap to what would be a full time score of 24 – 22 in the Comets favour in a class game of rugby league that had everything.

The minor grades were just as entertaining with the Coffs Comets U/18s winning 34 – 18.

The game saw the young Roosters dominated by Coffs in the first half however a strong fight back in the second half by the visitors gave the large crowd at Geoff King Motors Oval their money’s worth.

The Coffs Comets were also successful in the Reserve Grade clash, defeating the Nambucca Roosters 36 – 4.

Despite the score line it was a good game of football, especially in the second half where the Roosters lifted to make it a more even tussle.

It was great to see so many Roosters supporters travel to Coffs Harbour on Saturday, outnumbering the home team fans.

There are no games this weekend with a Group 2 bye round in place.

By Mick BIRTLES