The Macleay Valley Rangers' title defence started shaky but ultimately the side was able to earn the maximum points as they secured a 3-2 win in their opening round clash with the Forster-Tuncurry Tigers on Saturday.
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The Rangers were on the backfoot for the opening exchanges but rallied to produce a dominant final 30-minutes of the opening half.
Chad Applegate opened the scoring as he skillfully controlled a through ball, calmly knocked the ball around the keeper and slotted it into the back of the net.
Rangers' advantage was doubled minutes before the break when Sean Brucesmith, who was making his first grade debut, headed the ball into the goal after Alex Le Mesurier had headed the ball across the goal mouth from a corner.
Macleay Valley weren't able to continue their form into the second half and the Tigers fought their way back into the contest.
However, Rangers extended their lead as Applegate bagged a second.
Despite conceding for the third time, the Tigers continued to apply the pressure and they were eventually rewarded when they scored two quickfire goals to reduce the deficit to 3-2 with eight minutes remaining.
Some nervous moments followed but the Rangers defence scrambled well to hold on.
Rangers coach Chris Walker was pleased with the performance but wants to see his side maintain their high quality throughout the game.
"We were great for the 30 minutes before half-time," Walker said.
"But we weren't able to replicate that standard in the second half and we let them back in the game.
"It's an area where we will definitely need to improve on."
Rangers face Wallis Lakes in a grand final rematch this Saturday.
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