THERE were four reasons why Murwillumbah Mustangs cemented pride of place on the Northern Rivers Regional Rugby League premiership ladder with a comprehensive 54-8 defeat of Mullumbimby Giants at Stan Sercombe Oval yesterday.

They were too big, too good, too big and, yes, too big!

The Giants were more like Lilliputians in stature compared to their hosts who boast one of the biggest line-ups, especially packs, in the history of Northern Rivers footy.

Gargantuan props out on the paddock and on the bench, a nuggetty hooker, large, mobile backrowers and solidly-built backs from halfback to fullback – this is a team big on size and big on ability and certainly on the right track to earn a premiership.

This was an outstanding win by the Mustangs over their visitors who by no means threw in the towel throughout the 80 minutes.

The Mustangs had to work hard for every one of their nine tries – all of which were converted by the flawless Luke Covell.

Covell also had a terrific game in general play and matched the unblemished performances handed in by fellow back-rowers, Corey Maher and Damien Quinn.

Coach Troy McLean was a mighty happy man as he shook hands with each of his men as they trooped from the field.

“They stuck to the game plan despite going down 8-0 in the early stages when we had hardly any possession,” McLean said.

The Giants jumped to the early lead by scoring in only the 37th second and then again inside three minutes but at that stage they dominated possession, when, as we all know, altogether now, possession is nine-tenths of the law.

The Giants never hoisted the white flag but they were shot ducks by half-time when they trooped into the sheds trailing 24-8.

They just couldn't handle the crashing, crunching, bullocking runs by the Mustangs big men down the centre where they made huge inroads to put themselves into perfect positions to launch raids at the opposition tryline.

Veteran Mustangs prop Lionel Foster had one of his best games for the club and was rewarded with two tries following barnstorming runs.

He and fellow book-end, Lynden Murphy, who also crossed for a touchdown, terrorised defence in the centre and just wide of the rucks – they made huge ground every time that had the pill in hand.

But the most pleasing aspect of the win for McLean was the impeccable games handed in by Covell, Maher and Quinn.

“They never make mistakes and always led by example,” he said.

MUSTANGS 54 (L Foster 2, R O’Connell, C Pattison, J Hardy, M Goodfellow, N Jordan, L Murphy, C Maher tries; L Covell 9 goals) def GIANTS 8 (T Abbott, T McQueen tries).