NORTHERN United will finally play its first home game in the seventh round of the Northern Rivers Regional Rugby League competition this weekend.
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The competition has had a disrupted start to the season with multiple washouts as most teams struggle to gather momentum.
United should take plenty of confidence into its game against Lower Clarence scheduled for May 18.
It could be played at either Crozier Field or Oakes Oval, depending on wet weather.
The Dirawongs showed they could handle the wet, laying on eight tries when they belted Murwillumbah 44-6 last weekend.
Murwillumbah had no answers for the speed of centre Luke Simpson and fullback Hezekiah McKenzie while halfback Tyrone Roberts controlled the game with his kicking.
![Front-rower Jirra Breckenridge carts the ball forward against Byron Bay. Picture by Deb Milgate. Front-rower Jirra Breckenridge carts the ball forward against Byron Bay. Picture by Deb Milgate.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/PMrCA3Rpn38pKDFxaenbSb/5309845b-57ee-47f5-889a-14cef709a985.jpg/r0_105_2048_1033_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Lower Clarence have improved over the past 18 months under former NRL front-rower Luke Douglas and will be no easy beats.
Kick-off is scheduled for 2.45pm.
In other games, Marist Brothers are looking for a third straight win when it travels to take on Bilambil.
Brothers have played well in recent week, grinding out wins over Casino and Tweed Coast.
The Rams have enough flair in their backline and a hard-working group of forwards who can mix it with the best teams in the competition.
Bilambil won the premiership in 2022 and look the best of the Tweed teams this season.
Byron Bay are unbeaten this season and on top of the ladder with eight competition points while Brothers and Casino are in second on five points.
Only Brothers, Byron Bay and Murwillumbah have played all four rounds this season with some clubs only playing two games.
Other games this weekend
Casino v Kyogle at Queen Elizabeth Park Casino (Saturday, 5.15pm)
Tweed Coast v Byron Bay at Les Burger Field, Cabarita (Sunday, 2.45pm)
Ballina v Murwillumbah at Kingsford Smith Park, Ballina (Sunday, 2.45pm)
Mullumbimby v Evans Head at Les Donnelly Field, Mullumbimby (Sunday, 2.45pm)
NRRRL LADDER
Byron Bay 8 (played 4)
Marist Brothers 5 (played 4)
Casino 5 (played 3)
Northern United 4 (played 3)
Bilambil 4 (played 2)
Evans Head 4 (played 3)
Ballina 4 (played 2)
Cudgen 4 (played 3)
Mullumbimby 4 (played 4)
Tweed Coast 2 (played 3)
Kyogle 2 (played 2)
Murwillumbah 2 (played 4)
Lower Clarence 0 (played 3)
Big games in FNC rugby
Lismore City and Southern Cross University will both sit on the sidelines this week with washed out games in Far North Coast rugby union
City was set to take on a Byron Shire Rebels side who played in the grand final last season at Schulz Oval, Bangalow.
Elswhere, SCU were scheduled to play the the top-of-the-table Ballina at Quays Reserve Ballina.
Ballina is coming off a 51-5 thumping of Casuarina while the Rats suffered 45-5 loss against Richmond Range.
In other games, defending premiers Wollongbar-Alstonville host Lennox Head with Casino at home to Casuarina.
Evans Head plays Richmond Range at home. Games kick off at 3.15pm.
RUGBY LADDER: Ballina 10, Byron Shire 9, Richmond Range 8, Lennox 6, Casuarina 6, Wollongbar-Alstonville 5, Lismore 5, Evans 0, SCU 0, Casino 0
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