The Moree Boomerangs know they need to be better when they come up against the Glen Innes Magpies this weekend, after their 54-16 win over the Armidale Rams yesterday.
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The Boomerangs were on track for a monster total as they headed into the half time break with a 38-0 lead.
The Rams responded well in a scrappy second half, adding some more respectability to the scoreline, as both teams added three tries apiece.
Boomerangs coach Chris Binge said he was overall happy with the win, despite a sluggish second half.
"The first half was exactly what we wanted," Binge said.
"The second half didn't pan out as best as it possibly could in terms of continuing on what we did (in the first half).
"It was one of those frustrating games, but I got everything out of it that we needed.
"It's not about going out and winning by 80 or 90 but executing what you need to....the second half was a little bit scrappy, a lot of dropped ball from both teams. It didn't really get to any exciting points in the second half."
A number of regular first graders were rested for this clash to deal with some niggling injuries while halfback Will Fernando injured his finger in the opening minutes but played right through the match and will be fit for this weekend's clash against against Glen Innes.
Binge said Anthony Williams was "bloody outstanding" in the front row, and was well supported by Fernando and Justin Smith at hooker, while captain Tyrell Smith was a standout once again.
"He's stepping up every week. His leadership, his positivity is rubbing off which is a good thing," he said.
Binge was pleased to see his side get through the match unscathed, but said it's hard for any team to find consistency with the way the competition is structured.
"It's just an inconsistent season in relation to playing week in week out," Binge said.
"Beyond the competition this season, the group in itself needs to make some hard decisions around the competition's structure.
"The standard of the competition seems to fall off, the difference between the top three teams versus your lower two is significant.
"Going into yesterday's game, you go into half time leading 38-0, you'd think you'd run away with that, but it's sort of hard from a motivation point of view to be up every week."
The Boomerangs now face a tough three week period, coming up against the Magpies, Boars and Narwan.
Binge knows his side will be fired up for those three clashes but said it's still tough not knowing how many games will end up being played each week, with the Magpies and Boars not fielding a reserve grade side, Narwan don't have an under-18s while Armidale were forced to forfeit in reserve grade yesterday.
"As a coach, this is probably the most difficult season to coach because of the inconsistency of the competition."
Regardless, Binge said he's happy with the way the side is travelling and is very confident moving forward.
Additionally, the Boomerangs have been boosted by the recent acquisition of his two sons, Chris Jr and Caleb, who has NRL experience with the Gold Coast Titans.
"Both those boys will come into first grade and make it even stronger. They've played football at high levels and I know what they can bring to the team," Binge said.
"We can only get stronger and that's a scary thing."
Binge said the Boomerangs have a good history playing at Glen Innes and is confident his side can get the job done this weekend, as they look to avenge a shock loss at home last time the two sides faced off.
In the other match of the day, the Boomerangs went down in ladies league tag 34-6 against the ladder-leading Rams.
