Local rugby league fans have seen the chances of their teams making the finals slip away after enduring losses before last weekend’s bye.
The Byron Bay Red Devils took on the Bilambil Jets in round 13 after travelling north and came away with a 34–18 loss.
A win would have put them in sixth place on the competition ladder, with a finals berth if they held on.
As it is they sit in eighth place with 13 competition points on a congested ladder.
To make the finals they have to get past Evans Head (16), Tweed Coast (16), Cudgen (14), Lower Clarence (14).
Mullumbimby Giants lost to Marist Brothers 24–28, and sit in tenth place on 11 points.
While both teams can theoretically still make the finals a lot would have to go their way.
The first stumbling block is this weekend as both sides take on top teams.
This Sunday Mullumbimby hosts Ballina, the competition leader, before taking on third-placed Northern United, the week after.
The Red Devils host Evans Head (fourth-placed) this Sunday, before playing away to Ballina Seagulls in the final round.
On the up side both sides have a bye, and two competition points, over the three-week run to the finals.
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