The Rays discovered parts of their mojo as they ran in seven tries to four against a Rising side that featured Wallabies squad member Lopeti Timani and several other players with extensive Super Rugby experience.

The home side settled into their shape and rhythm a lot better than they did against the Greater Sydney Rams and by the 30 minute mark had racked up three tries and a 19-nil lead.

There was nothing spectacular about the tries that Latu Latunipulu and Harry Burey scored in that first half hour but the pleasing thing about them was the fact that they were opportunities taken when they were on offer.

There were lots of good contributors to the cause at Pittwater with Sam Lane playing well, Tom Connor getting over the ball well and of course Latu Latumipulu scoring three tries.

Rohan Saifoloi was another to make things happen, kicking well of the tee and also making some very measured breaks throughout the afternoon.

Head coach Julian Huxley spoke of drawing a line in the sand this week and that is exactly what this side did.

But, as Huxley told the group in the rooms before they sang their victory in the wake of the match, there a still a few things to iron out.

The Rays led 31-7 in the shadows of halftime but some risky option taking saw the Rising put some pressure on in the 22m.

That saw Hugh Sinclair yellow card on the break and then after that the Rising were awarded a penalty try that gave the halftime score of 31-14.

The absence of Sinclair was always going to tell and after the break a well taken try by Rising winger Semisi Tupou got the visitors to within 10 points at 31-21.

Jack Maddocks, whose father Peter played at Northern Suburbs in the late 1970s and early 1980s, then took a nice try to get the Rising to within five points at 31-26.

But that man Latu Latunipulu again bobbed up and finished off a nice move that involved Angus Sinclair and Saifoloi.

That made the score 38-28 and that’s the way it stayed until the 71st minute when Saifoloi shipped in once again with a well taken penalty goal.

The day was finished off when Dave McDuling sneaked over off the back of some good pressure from the Rays forwards.

Saifoloi converted to give the final 48-28 scoreline.

How it happened:

18min: TRY Latu Latunipulu try, conversion Rohan Saifoloi

22min: TRY Latu Latunipulu, conversion Saifoloi

26min: TRY Harry Burey

31min: TRY Melbourne Rising

35min: TRY Tom Connor

38min: TRY Apo Latuinipulu, conversion Saifoloi

40min: Yellow card for Hugh Sinclair

40min: penalty try Rising

HALFTIME: Rays lead 31-14

42min: TRY Melbourne Rising

50min: TRY Melbourne Rising

53min: TRY Latu Latunipulu, Saifoloi conversion

71min: PENALTY GOAL Saifoloi

78min: TRY Dave McDuling, conversion Saifoloi

FULLTIME: Rays win 48-28