The final score flattered the Bulls. Wauchope led 36-10 with less than 10 minutes left when the Bulls managed two tries to centre Shannon Mullay. Before all that it had been all Wauchope.

Second rower Jamie Tracey carved Taree City up in the first half. Standing wide, he continually tore through the defensive line to set Wauchope on the attack, despite being hampered by an ankle injury.

In the second half it was halfback Tristan Scott’s turn to annoy Taree with his darting runs  and pinpoint kicking game. It was a comprehensive performance by Wauchope led by a strong pack of forwards while the backs were keen to cash in on the yardage made up the middle.

Taree went into the game without hookers Oscar Carey and Jake Lauder while captain-coach Matt Everitt copped a head knock in the first half and watched the rest of the action from the sideline.

But as was the case the previous week against Old Bar it’s obvious Taree just don’t have the firepower in attack. They lack direction and rely too heavily on fullback Dean Mills to provide some spark.

Prop Matt Taupe tried hard but there’s not much punch out wide. Second rower/centre Michael Peachey can test the line, but he doesn’t see enough ball.

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Realistically the only reason the Bulls are even in the race for a top five spot is because of Port Macquarie’s points deduction. Should the Sharks be successful in getting some or all of those back, the Bulls will struggle to play finals football this winter.

Wauchope had the game in hand at halftime when leading 18-4. However, Taree fought back to 18-10 early in the second half when Toby De Stefano found his way to the line from dummy half and Brywyn Tisdell kicked the conversion. Then it all went sour again for the Bulls when the the re-start was fumbled.

From the ensuring scrum Wauchope worked a set move and Scott raced over. Even though the conversion missed, at 22-10 Wauchope were always going to finish winners.

Wauchope 36 (K Doherty, B White, L Quinn, T Scott, S Watts, J Nauosa, D Hemsley tries, S Watts 4 goals) defeated Taree City 18 (S Mullay 2, T De Stefano, M Peachey tries, B Tisdell goal).

Wauchope won reserve grade 22-18 while the Bulls stayed in the race for the under 18 top five with an impressive 46-0 victory. League tag finished 6-6.

THE first grade game between Taree City and Wauchope was delayed by nearly an hour following a badly dislocated ankle sustained by Wauchope player Luke Gilchrist in reserve grade.

Gilchrist was injured in a tackle five minutes before fulltime and there was immediate concern shown by players from both sides. Referee Brad Ross called fulltime with Wauchope leading 22-18.

Training staff from both clubs attended Gilchrist until paramedics arrived at the ground. He was eventually transported to hospital.