A tale of two halves for Ghosts derby win

GRAFTON Ghosts captain-coach Danny Wicks commended his players who went back to basics and 'busted their guts' to score 28 unanswered points in the second half.

Ghost Danny Wicks during the Group 2 battle of the river rugby league clash at Frank McGuren Field Grafton on Sunday, 9th April, 2017. Picture: Debrah Novak

RUGBY LEAGUE: The Battle of the River local league derby was a true tale of two halves for the Grafton Ghosts as they returned from the break to run in 28-unanswered points in the second stanza to run out 42-6 winners against Rebels.

>> MATCH REPORT: Ghosts clinch blowout in bruising local derby

While it appeared the team had been on the receiving end of an almighty spray from captain-coach Danny Wicks, it was actually quite the opposite in the home sheds.

"I think a few of the boys were still running off emotions from last year's grand final, they were feeling from a few scars and they were just getting a bit flustered out there in the beginning," Wicks said.

2017 Battle of the River: Frank McGuren Field

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"I just came in at half time, when the game was still pretty tight, and I just said to them hold on to the ball and you are going to get a completely different game of rugby league.

"I think we completed like 85% in the second half."

Wicks said he was most impressed with his men in the middle who matched up strength to strength against the biggest forward pack in Group 2.

"There are those stand out players and they know who they are but for me it always starts in the middle," he said. "It comes from those blokes busting their guts up the centre, and the blokes on the edge cash in on their effort.

"I think we showed real character and had a real crack in the second half."

>> SEE ALSO: Rebels prove to be their own enemies in derby

Originally published as A tale of two halves for Ghosts derby win