David Feltscheer scored for North Harbour Rays in the first half © Getty Images

Enlarge

NSW Country Eagles 26-34 Brisbane City

Brisbane City have proved too good for the Country Eagles with a tight five-tries-to-two 34-26 victory in Lismore. Both sides hit the ground running with opening tries through Jake Shatz and Tala Gray, but it was City who maintained possession and momentum with two tries closely following, including a second to Shatz.

With an early 21-5 lead over the Eagles, City were able to hold on strong under solid pressure on their line before they managed a turnover and ran away for a try. But the Eagles were quick to hit back before the break to reduce the gap 29-10 with a strong rolling maul putting Gray over for a double.

Coming out quickly, City was first to add points to the board with a hat-trick to Shatz to push the lead 34-10. The Eagles hit back again twice to narrow the gap further, but City's lead would be too big for the home side with City ending the match a converted try ahead.

Queensland Country 29-32 North Harbour Rays

North Harbour Rays have claimed their first victory of the National Rugby Championship season, overcoming a strong comeback from Queensland Country in the Australia-Argentina Test curtain-raiser at Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast.

The Rays looked good for the points when they went to half-time with a 24-8 advantage, through tries from Luke Holmes, Hamish Angus and David Feltscheer against one from JJ Taulagi for the hosts. But Country came out of the sheds a different team to score tries to Jack de Guingand and Todd Winkley in the second half, as well as a penalty try, to lead 29-24 with 18 minutes to play.

The Rays recovered their composure and regained momentum, with Gower redeeming himself from his yellow-crd earlier in the match to cross in the shadows of the posts for the match-winning converted try with five minutes to play.

The Rams' Jerome McKenzie makes a break © Getty Images

Enlarge

Greater Sydney Rams 47-18 Sydney Stars

Greater Sydney Rams have won their second successive match of the National Rugby Championship, putting cross-town rivals Sydney Stars to the sword at Pirtek Stadium.

The Rams laid the foundations for victory in the opening quarter, scoring tries through Taqele Naiyaravoro, Jared Barry and Chris Alcock to lead 21-0 inside 24 minutes. Jack Macklin scored a try for the Stars, but the Rams went to the break with a 29-5 margin after they were awarded a penalty try for repeated scrum collapses.

Hugh Roach extended the lead with a converted try and the Rams posted two more tries through Jerome Mackenzie and Michael McDougall as the Stars capitulated to their third heavy loss in as many matches. Wallabies forward Will Skelton and Sam Macklin scored second-half tries for the Stars.

The Rising's Telusa Veainu scored two tries against Perth Spirit © Cam Inniss Photography

Enlarge

Melbourne Rising 44-24 Perth Spirit

Melbourne Rising have confirmed the thoughts of Jack Debrezceni that they are the team to beat in the National Rugby Championship, if not the outright favourites to win the inaugural premiership, with a stunning performance to defeat Perth Spirit at AAMI Parkin the opening game of round four.

Rory Walton led the Spirit in Melbourne © Cam Inniss Photography

Enlarge

Debrezceni said, when asked by ESPN on Tuesday if the Rising could win the flag, that undefeated side "have what it takes to be successful", and he and his team-mates underline the point with a seven-try rout of the Spirit.

Spirit back-rower Alex Rovira put the visitors ahead with the opening try of the game, but the Rising responded with three tries in six minutes, through No.8 Lopeti Timani and wingers Joe Kamana and Telusa Veainu, to lead 18-8 at half-time..

The Rising then confirmed their credentials with another four tries in the second half to run away with the game after Brad Lacey had crossed for the Spirit shortly after the recommencement of action.