Rugby league: After falling short in the last local derby, Cities did not hold back as they faced the Wallumbilla- Surat Red Bulls on Sunday.

Onlookers shivered through the overcast afternoon at Wallumbilla, as they watched the Roma reserve grade fight hard for a 40-4 win, with A grade coming away victorious 28-4.

Cities A-grade coach Scott Hilton said his boys put on their best defensive performance of the year.

"We were very gutsy, which was the telling tale of the match,” Hilton said.

"Billy Coonan put down some amazing tries, they were something to behold.

"In the middle, all our fowards were exceptional, like Matt Roberts, Tom Packer, Jackson Shelswell.

"All our boys were unbelievable.

"We had to defend a lot of extra sets, with 12 penalties against our five.

"The Cities and Red Bulls always make for a good, fiery clash: There's always really good rivalry, and you need them in sport.

"It's always a big occasion when we play each other and it was good to get a win after we lost to them in the last round.”

The Red Bulls felt the loss of some of their starting 13 but were confident they had given it their all.

"I think we did very well, considering we had a few regulars out due to injury or work commitments,” captain Kurt Rowbotham said.

"I'm really proud of how the boys went, we stuck in the grind.

"We kept our heads up and didn't give up.

"At half time we had a bit of a chat and knew we needed to focus on our defence in the second half and I think we gave it our best shot.”

Rowbotham said it was always a battle playing their nearest neighbours and the crowd helped offer encouragement.

"Cities versus Red Bulls is always one of those games, where everyone just gives it their all,” he said.

"Unfortunately we only got over the line once but Jordan Galbraith got a great try.”

The Red Bulls' A-grade side will not play for three weeks when they take on Mitchell, with the reserves ready to face the Wandoan/ Taroom/Miles Battlers this weekend.

Cities will play St George in Roma this weekend.