Things were not working out well for MNC Colts against Central West Colts, an untidy game which hung in the balance at 22-14 with MNC on full-scale attack in Central West's quarter before slipping away in a 29-14 and five tries to two defeat.

With prestige on the line for their game against Far North Coast Colts the following day on Sunday, coaches Mark Hudson and David Birch and manager Ron McCarthy were obliged to make changes, one being to move Mylonas from breakaway to hooker.

The Manning River club forward distinguished himself as others in the team lost face in a 48-14 defeat, Mylonas receiving the award as the Colts' player of the match ahead of the Forster-Tuncurry Dolphins' winger, Jack Nicholson.

The pair will meet on opposite sides of the fence tomorrow with Mylonas expected to return to his customary position on the side of the Ratz scrum for the fourth round clash against the competition-leading Dolphins at Taree Rugby Ground.

Long-time Ratz stalwart and former MNC hooker, Jonno Annand, is apparently back in Taree, but whether he laces on the boots again remains to be seen. If he is fit, the temptation will be great for one of the club's best men.

The Ratz are in a rebuilding phase this season on the evidence of their second round 56-10 thumping by the Wallamba Bulls, and the Ratz can expect some heavy fire again tomorrow. The Dolphins are running in tries and developing ominously.

The Dolphins were well-represented in Armidale, tight-head Ben Manning, winger Jesse Logan and hooker-flanker Troy Haines all appearing for the MNC Axemen and winger Nicholson and lock Lachlan Daczko playing for the Colts.

All five came through the carnival unscathed, the hard-running Haines starting as hooker in the Axemen's 20-5 defeat of the Western Plains. After his initial representative experience, he will be a dangerous adversary from the back row against the Ratz.

James Clarke is back as hooker for the Dolphins after a year's absence - building a family home and recovering from injuries - so Haines will revert to open-side breakaway with Brad Murray and Chris Simon occupying the remaining back-row positions.

In Gloucester, the Cockies will be hoping that their hard-running captain, Chris Marchant, has recovered sufficiently from a broken foot to lead the side on Gloucester Park against the Myall Coast Mud Crabs. Last year's grand finalists urgently need his experience.

But after three successive defeats, it is also time that the younger members of the team muscled up as did their front-rower, Kenneth Wamsley, for MNC Colts in Armidale.

The unbeaten Wallamba Bulls, trailing the Dolphins by just a point in the competition, are at home against the Old Bar Clams. Hopes continue bubbling that the Clams will remain in the premiership. It would be extremely sad to see a once mighty club close its doors.

The Clams' hooker Teia Ambrosoli is an inspiration to all in the Lower Mid North Coast.