As the current holders of the silverware, FC keep it.

Typical of a local derby it was a physical affair, FC finishing the game with 10 after Troy Hearfield received a second yellow card.

The scoreline reflected what both camps thought was an even game with neither side really enjoying any prolonged dominance.

“It was see-sawing,” FC coach Greg Bartlett said.

He rated it his sides worst performance for a few weeks, but thought they probably “had the better of the play”.

Certainly in the first half, Companions coach Gavin Thompson felt that was the case. He thought his side though probably had the better of the second half.

Beaten their two previous outings against Companions, Bartlett was disappointed they couldn’t get the win.

They had enough opportunities to, but “didn’t finish things off”. That was arguably the most disappointing aspect of the performance, having finished well recently.

“We might have been rushing things a bit whereas we might have had a bit more composure the last few weeks,” Bartlett said.

He praised Ryan Davidson’s performance making his first grade debut. Not the biggest kid, he really stood up he said, and was probably their man of the match.

Thompson applauded the way his side handled themselves in what was “predictably a very hard and tough game”, and said they will take a lot out positives of the draw. He highlighted their demeanor on the field and their composure as two of those. His only real complaint was the way they continue to invent ways to concede goals.

They were best-served by Jake Thompson and Zac Kam, although (Gavin) Thompson was reluctant to single anyone out.

“Everyone put in and everyone stood up,” he said.

In other games Norths United defeated Joeys FC 5-1, Demon Knights downed South Armidale 5-1 and Oxley Vale Attunga beat East Armidale 4-2. The Mushies backed up on Sunday to beat Joeys 9-nil, Adam Watson slotting six goals.