After a shaky start, RSL 78s got the better of the Dubbo Bulls 3 - 1 in Round 10 of the Dubbo District Football Association's Men's first grade.
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RSL's Joe Haylock said the slow start could easily have cost them against a team that's been the benchmark in the league.
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"They were in control, leading 1-nil for the first hour, but we kept our eyes open for a few opportunities later on and finished stronger," he said.
Rhys Beauchamp scored an early goal for the Bulls in the first 10 minutes, with Haylock getting RSL's first point on the board well into the second half.
"I don't know why, it just took us an hour to click and to warm up to them," he said. "They've been the benchmark for a while, they're a really good club, but we came good in the end," he said.
James Woldring and Gilbert Chaseling scored the second and third goals for RSL.
The 78s are second on the ladder, five points behind Wellington Warriors while the Bulls are sitting at fifth. But, as Haylock said, the ladder isn't necessarily a true reflection of the competition - the Bulls and Orana Spurs started the competition on minus 10 points.
In the next round, RSL takes on Newtown. Their last matchup was a close one with RSL winning 1 - nil.
"They (Newtown) had a draw on the weekend against Westside so they are a good team, it will be a good game," Haylock said.
There's five rounds to be played before finals, with the semi-finals slated for August 15 and the grand final played on the 29th. But at this point in the comp, it could go to anyone.
"There are five teams that could probably win, so it's a pretty open competition."
Macquarie remains undefeated in the women's first grade, leading the comp by nine points after a convincing 4 - 1 win over Wellington. They play the Bulls in Round 11, who also had a convincing win at the weekend over RSL, who were without their regular goalkeeper.
