TWEED Northern Rivers Regional Rugby League (NRRRL) clubs Murwillumbah and Cudgen have asserted their dominance over the competition with away wins in Round 12 on Sunday.

The Hornets, who were ladder leaders after round 11 on percentage, held top spot after defeating bottom-placed Kyogle 36-24 at New Park.

The win was the Hornets’ fifth in-a-row, for a total of nine wins from their 12 games this season.

The Mustangs were equally impressive, turning the tables on last year’s premier Ballina to run away convincing 28-12 winners at Kingsford Smith Park.

Veteran five-eighth Damien Quinn combined strongly with captain Sam O’Dea to set up the win, with winger Daryl Brooks also having a day out, with two tries and a hand in another.

The win places the Mustangs equal top with Cudgen, with the clubs only separated on points difference.

Fellow Tweed club the Tweed Coast Raiders had a day to forget on Saturday after being thrashed 34-16 by fourth placed Casino.

The loss was the Raiders’ third in-a-row and leaves them seven points adrift of the top four in eighth, with four wins from their 12 games.

The Raiders will look to turn their fortunes around on Saturday against Byron Bay, while the Mustangs and Hornets will both be searching for an outright ladder lead, when they face Kyogle and Northern United respectively on Sunday.

NRRRL LADDER:

Cudgen 18

Murwillumbah 18

Evans Head 16

Casino 16

Marist Brothers 14

Northern United 13

Ballina 11

Raiders 9

Byron Bay 3

Kyogle 2