Following a pre-season player raid by Uralla, club president Terry Carson and the committee scrambled to put together a side that could compete, and did a pretty good job of it.

A promising start to the season under new captain coach Clarry Moran turned into a great start when they became the first side in almost a year to beat the Rangs in a nail biting 26-28 round four encounter.

The Rams met the Rangs again a fortnight ago and got blown out of the park 66-36, before the bye last weekend.

“Letting in that many tries is not good enough,” Carson said.

“We tried to play safe against them and you just can’t do that.”

Armidale will travel only one player short with hard running forward Josh Koroibulu away for the weekend.

The Rams have recently dropped a couple of games and also had two draws to leave them battling for a spot in the top four travelling to Tingha in fifth on 18 points.

“We are content with where we are, although we would have loved a home semi,” Carson said.

“We have worked hard and changed our defensive structure a bit.” 

Carson has all but abandoned hope of a home semi, with the Rangs and Glen Innes holding a lease on those spots, but is confident they can feature in the minor semi.

“We have got our defence right and points have never been a problem.” 

“We are not scared of the Rangs or any other side.” 

Meanwhile Tingha’s season has been racked by inconsistency which has left them seventh, six points short of the four.

The Tigers surprised the Hawks a fortnight ago to give them a chance but a 68-10 drubbing at the hands of the premiers ended their hopes.

The third placed Hawks will be looking to book a finals spot on Saturday as they host Glen Innes in one of the match of the rounds.

Ashford will go north of the border to Goondiwindi on a roll after recording their first win in the top grade for a very long time. 

The other Boars, Moree, need two points to stay in the top four but will have to take them from the Boomerangs in a highly anticipated local derby at Broughton Oval.