Rhinos' finals hopes hang by a thread

FINALS fever is beginning to grip the Northern Rivers Regional Rugby League competition, with two finals berths still up for grabs.

With only two rounds left in the regular season only three teams - Lower Clarence, Northern United and Mullumbimby - are guaranteed a slice of the post-season action.

It leaves four clubs - Byron Bay, Grafton Ghosts, Tweed Coast, Cudgen and Grafton Rhinos - in a fierce race for the coveted fourth and fifth positions.

Sitting in eighth position on the NRRRL ladder, the Rhinos' chances of playing September football hang by a thread.

After a topsy-turvy season, the Rhinos have done well to even be in with a shout, but one more loss and the club is out of finals contention.

But while hope remains, Rhinos captain-coach Xavier Sullivan refuses to throw in the towel.

“There is still a chance, but it just keeps getting further and further away,” Sullivan said.

“It's a slim hope, but it will be tough.”

With a points difference of -73, the Rhinos will have to destroy their last two opponents - Evans Head and Casino - and hope other results go their way.

Further up the ladder, the equation is simple for the fifth-placed Ghosts - win the last two games and finals football is guaranteed.

But fighting for a finals spot is a far cry from the minor premiership effort of last season.

“There has been a lot of pressure because of our success last year,” Ghosts first grade coach Col Speed said.

“Probably too much from myself, our supporters and elsewhere.”

Injuries to key men Ryan Farrell and Aaron Hartmann have not helped the cause, but with two rounds to go, the Ghosts hold destiny in their own hands.

On top of the ladder, Lower Clarence will have the chance to claim the minor premiership when it faces Northern United in the penultimate round this weekend.

However, injury could rule out three of the club's key players for the clash, with Matt Michael (arm) and Tom Fletcher (hip) expected to join Jerry Byers on the sideline.

RUN TO FINALS The run home for teams vying for fourth and fifth place: BYRON BAY (4th, 22 points): Marist Brothers (h), Lower Clarence (a). GRAFTON GHOSTS (5th, 20 points): Cudgen (h), Tweed Coast (a). TWEED COAST (6th, 18 points): Murwillumbah (a), Grafton Ghosts (h). CUDGEN (7th, 18 points): Grafton Ghosts (a), Mullumbimby (h). GRAFTON RHINOS (8th, 18 points): Evans Head (h), Casino (a).