by Brendan Bradford – The North Harbour Rays have lost a brilliant opening NRC match 55-34 to the Melbourne Rising in the perfect example of how the rule variations lead to high-tempo and high scoring rugby. The final 21 point difference didn’t do justice to the Rays who clawed back a first half deficit to take a 26-21 lead at the break but couldn’t stay with the home-side whose replacements proved the difference in the final quarter. The Rays were dominated at scrumtime against a more experienced Melbourne forward pack but in open play more than held their own. It wasn’t the most complete team performance but individual players stepped up and stood out. Norths backrower Michael Wells was everywhere, making tackles and metres in equal measure while Dave Porecki didn’t miss a beat in an earlier than expected debut f