The final score didn’t do the Bulls justice. They dominated all facets of the game until Wauchope scored two late tries.

It was Taree’s best performance of the season. Their forwards, led by props Josh Northam and Matt Toupe hunted as a pack and led the way while the indefatigable Matt Everitt steered the side around from dummy half.

Halves Josh McCartney and Nathan Maher created opportunities for their outside backs. McCartney also took over the goal kicking role in Luke Murray’s absence and kicked six. He showcased his skill with a superb try from a Maher short kick to round off a good day for the number seven.

Winger Paul Shaloub played a leading hand in one Taree City try and scored two himself in his best display for the club.

Both sides were on the board early, Taree through a converted try to second rower Tom Berry and Wauchope after five-eighth Nick McCabe put through a kick for fullback Sam Watts to beat the cover and touchdown. Watts missed the goal. Lock Matt Bird was over after a good team try for Wauchope and this time the custodian landed the conversion to give Wauchope a 10-6 advantage.

But the Bulls took charge from there with tries to Jesse Clarke after Shaloub did well to take a kick from McCartney.

Shaloub was in himself when he collected a great pass from Maher to make it 22-10 at the break. The Bulls were placed under plenty of pressure by Wauchope in the later stages of the first half, but their defence held firm.

The Bulls looked safe when Everitt burrowed his way over for a try soon after the resumption while Maher and McCartney then combined to send youngster Shannon Mullay racing into a gap to score.  The best try of the half came from a Maher kick that McCartney managed to control and then plant the ball under the posts.

Wauchope responded with two late tries but the game was out of their reach by then.