The Hawks led 10-8 at halftime but by the midpoint of the second section Taree had raced to a commanding 32-10 lead. Forster pulled one try back just before the final siren.

Taree's defensive effort was most pleasing for coach Todd Bridge. The Bulls were under the pump for most of the first 40 minutes yet conceded just two tries, the second just before the break. Taree also made some fundamental errors - failing to find touch from a penalty on one occasion and throwing some wild passes - when they did have possession.

However, the Hawks failed the cash in. The visitors had some excuses as they went into the game without two of their best players - prop Matt Kirkland and five-eighth Keda Moylan, who were both injured.

Coach Phil Adamson initially shifted North Coast representative Riley Glover from hooker to five-eighth to cover for Moylan. Glover was again Forster's most threatening player, however, he was moved back into his usual role for the second half.

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After upsetting Wingham in the opening week the Hawks have now succumbed to three successive losses and face the last placed Old Bar at Tuncurry next Sunday. That'll be an important game for both teams.

Taree's forwards, led by energetic hooker Oscar Carey, prop Matt Taupe and lock Thomas Paulson, took a points decision over their Forster counterparts. Interchange forward Rob Mason made the impact coach Bridge was expecting. Winger Todd Northam continues his strong form of this season, scoring two tries while also doing plenty of work in attack and defence.

The Hawks were on the attack for most of the opening 20 minutes of the game but the first time the Bulls made it into Forster territory they scored when five-eighth Toby De Stefano aimed a clever cross-kick to the corner and Northam did well to grab theball and dive over. Five-eighth Dean Mills missed the conversion. The Hawks hit back immediately when centre Beau Lowry was put into space and he strolled across for an unconverted try.

Northam showed determination to register Taree's second try making it 8-4 but just before the break interchange forward Sam Whitbread reached out to plant the ball over the line for Forster after some sustained pressure. Glover's goal made it 10-8.

The Bulls always looked to have Forster's measure in the second 40. Paulson darted through a gap to give Taree the lead with a try converted by Logan Wallis, Paulson was heavily involved with Taree's second try when he sent a pass to the barnstorming Mason and Wallis was on line again. There was still half an hour remaining, but Taree was well on track to record the win. Further tries to centre Shannon Mullay and a second for Mason sealed the deal.

Wallis finished with four conversions from as many attempts. Liam Simon's try for gave the Forster supporters something to cheer about as Glover nailed the conversion just before the final siren.

The Bulls now have two wins from four starts and meet Wingham Tigers next Saturday at Wingham.