Flag favourite in shock loss

Hornets’ Josh Sleba.

THE final round of the Northern Rivers Regional Rugby League yesterday was one all three Tweed sides would rather forget.

While the Tweed Coast Raiders were tonked 36-16 by Byron Bay at Les Berger Field, Murwillumbah were handed a shock 42-16 mauling away to lowly Mullumbimby.

But, it was premiership hopefuls Cudgen's loss to Northern United at Ned Byrne Field that hit hardest, trumped 38-36 in the game's dying stages.

Influential half Roy Bell sliced through and sent Steven Roberts Jr scorching down the touchline to score a try and steal the unlikely victory.

United played catch-up football all day and looked to be finished before the pair combined to set off wild celebrations with the last play of the day.

The clash for outright second-spot on the table was marred by stoppages for foul play and head-high tackles – the most unsavoury incident occurring around the half-hour mark when Hornets centre Aaron Aitken broke opposite number Sione Tonga's nose with a swinging arm.

Aitkin was marched for 10 minutes but the niggle continued and post-match United coach Chris Binge was a mixture of emotions; there was sheer delight, but also anger.

“Cudgen's tactics were disgraceful today,” he said.

“The high-shots, the dog-shots; it was obviously their plan to try and put us off our game with dirty tactics.”

If the clubs clash again in the finals there will certainly be plenty of fire.

Hornets players approached Binge post-match pointing the finger and accusing him of being a sore loser.

With the victory over Cudgen, United earn the right to host the qualifying semi-final against Ballina at Crozier Field, while Cudgen host with Grafton Rhinos.

Elsewhere, Marist Brothers downed Casino 24-4, Ballina belted Lower Clarence 58-12, Graton Ghosts upstaged locals Grafton Rhinos 38-24, and Evans Head accounted for Kyogle 52-28.