The Greens recorded a 26-24 victory over the previously undefeated Mallee Men in what was a close game for the majority of the match.

Leeton had welcomed back a huge number of players into the side, which showed both on the scoreboard, but also on the field.

Those coming off the bench, including Taina Heke in first match of the season and Jayke Stevenson, also proved to be part of the winning formula on Sunday.

Leeton Greens president Bill Arnold was pleased with what he saw from the team who hadn't won since round two when they defeated Hay.

"It was a very good game ... they really got into the grind," Arnold said.

"Through the whole game it was close, it was 8-nil at one stage in our favour, then 8-6, 14-12, that sort of thing.

"With 15 minutes to go, it was 26-12 in our favour, but they hit back with two late tries.

"It was a real credit to our boys to hang in there, you could see they were tired."

It was a solid turn around for the Greens, who in the week prior to the clash with the Mallee Men, who defeated by the Yenda Blueheelers, who hadn't won a game up until that point.

"A week is a long time in football and that showed on Sunday," Arnold said.

"Obviously we had a lot of guys coming back into the team, so that helped.

"They were ran pretty hard at training on the Wednesday night beforehand, but it's what they needed."

Making the win even more important for Leeton was the fact they will now sit out this weekend thanks to the club bye.

They sit in fifth on the Group 20 ladder and will now start preparing for another big clash on May 18 against the current ladder-leaders in the Waratah Tigers.

MORE SPORT

Josh Fisher was awarded players' player on Sunday afternoon.

"He was outstanding for us," Arnold said. "Hayden Philp was also really good."

With Greens coach Warren Weir away for the majority of the next fortnight, Philp will be taking the lead at training over the bye period.

"He'll probably be the one giving the boys a run at training ... there's a good feel around the club, so hopefully we can keep building towards the game with Waratahs," Arnold said.

****

While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox every Friday at 6am from The Irrigator. To make sure you're up to date with all news in Leeton sign up here.