TAMWORTH Thunderbolt coach John Ireland might have fixed the side’s defensive woes but he has some work to do to fine-tune the side’s spluttering offence.

His side kept Port Macquarie Dolphins to just 63 points in Port Macquarie on Saturday evening but  could only score 58 in reply.

It was a disappointing result which makes the Thunderbolt return to play the Bellinger Valley Braves and Port Macquarie Dolphins this weekend even more crucial for the Thunderbolt State League Division 1 playoff hopes.

“We just struggled to score,”  Ireland said.

“Defensively we were great, did a real good job. 

“Their US import did score 32 but we limited him to that and contained the rest of the side well.

Thunderbolt import Jonny Miller was outstanding, finishing with 25 points and trying to inspire his side. Next best was Luke Krug (10pts).

“We just struggled to get it in the hole and we did have some good goalscoring options too,” Ireland said.

The Thunderbolts still sit second in their pool behind the Newcastle Hunters but it has opened the door for the Dolphins to leapfrog the Thunderbolts if they can notch another home court win this Sunday after the Bellinger Valley Braves, who beat Lismore Storm  on Saturday, can inflict a defeat on the visiting Thunderbolts on Saturday night.