South West Rocks was the destination for the Manning Valley Mustangs 11s, as they took part in the second crossover round against the Northern division sides.
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The rain held off for the first match against the Nambucca Valley Lions with the first quarter evenly matched and neither side able to find a goal.
The Lions took advantage of some missed tackles in the second quarter, snaring a couple of goals. But the defence returned in the third quarter with big efforts from Tadhg Brislane, Arabella Roohan and Ruby Luke at the back. Both sides could only find a goal apiece.
Strong ruck from Riley Hill along with some great work in the middle from Brenton Mance and Zac Thompson helped Isaac Luke find two goals in the fourth quarter. A late tackle on Brislane resulted in a successful conversion. In a thrilling finish the Mustangs fell just short 6.6.42 to 5.5.35.
In the second match, the Mustangs took on the Bellingen Bulldogs. Both sides could only find early behinds before Brislane kicked the first goal of the match late in the first quarter.
Carter Doesell and Tanner Lewis-Bain played strongly in the middle, pushing play upfield and positioning Hill for two goals.
A defensive final quarter ensued with Mance finding the only goal. But it was enough from the improving side to ensure a valuable 5.6.36 to 2.1.13 victory.
Slippery conditions greeted the Mustangs 13s at Wayne Richards Park, Port Macquarie, as they also met the Lions in their first crossover match of the day.
The Lions got off to a fast start with three early goals, taking a 19 point lead into the first break. But the greasy conditions then made scoring difficult and Callum Taylor, Rohnan Lamb and Adam Drewitt all put in big defensive efforts.
Lamb and Drewitt were eventually rewarded with goals in the final quarter. Angus Roohan also worked hard in the forwards drawing in several defenders on a number of occasions.
The Mustangs showed great resilience against the second top side, but were unable to rein in a 32 point deficit going down 8.2.50 to 3.0.18.
An early behind to Linkin Mawson in the second match ensured the Mustangs got off to a better start. Sonny Gilbert and Quinn Carmichael worked tirelessly in the defence, but the Bellingen Bulldogs jagged three quick goals late in the second quarter, to take a 30 point lead into the main break.
Zak Houston was outstanding in the middle, and despite good support from Vykan Hart, few scoring opportunities emerged for the Mustangs - the Bulldogs outclassing them 7.7.49 to 1.2.8.
Both the 11s and 13s will return to Johnny Martin Oval on June 16 to take on the Port Macquarie Flyers.
