Jets roar into finals contention after midseason slump

A RETURN to form has seen the Bilambil Jets on the cusp of locking in a top three finish in the Northern Rivers Regional Rugby League competition.

The Jets started the year well before four straight losses in the middle of the season.

They turned it around a fortnight ago when they broke the nine-game winning streak of second placed Marist Brothers with an impressive 28-10 victory.

Bilambil are the only team to defeat Brothers twice this season and have plenty of experience with half of their side part of the club’s 2022 premiership-winning team.

“We struggled for a month or so, but I was never worried that we didn’t have the ability,” player-coach Hayden Hansen said.

“We had to go away to have a bit of a look at ourselves and work out how we could play better as a team.

“I think part of our problem was we were spending a lot of time coming out of our end and we were leaking points when we got a bit tired.”

Hansen said brothers Alex and Harry Fitzhugh are taking ownership of the team in the halves.

Winger Blake Graham is the equal top try-scorer in the competition with centres Lachlan Hallard and Caleb Nicholls also contributing to the scoreboard.

Graham has scored 15 tries while winger Preston Smallwood is starting to make a name for himself with his try-scoring ability.

“Our outside backs have a lot of skill and if we get them close to the line the points will come,” Hansen said.

“I’ve played with some of the younger guys for about five years now and to see them taking charge and leading the way is pretty special.

“They’re coming into the prime stage of their career after turning 25, while a few of us boys over 30 are nearing the end.

“I try not to get too far ahead of myself as a coach, but we’re certainly aware of the position we’re in and we’re aiming for a big finish.”

Bilambil will have home games for the next two rounds when they take on the Casino Cougars on Sunday, August 16.

The final competition will be Old Boys Day against the Evans Head Bombers on Saturday, August 23.

LADDER

Cudgen 27

Marist Brothers 21

Bilambil 20

Ballina 19

Casino 17

Murwillumbah 17

Mullumbimby 15

Evans Head 14

Tweed Heads 13

Kyogle 11

Tweed Coast 11

Lower Clarence 9

Byron Bay 4

Northern United 2