Marist Brothers Rams Under 18s side, the backbone of the rugby league club, have gone top of the NRRRL Under 18s ladder after a seven try romp over Lower Clarence at Crozier Field yesterday afternoon.

The side, coached by Darryl Butcher, is level on points with Ballina and Cudgen, but at the top of the table and know that winning their next three fixtures, against Murwillumbah at Crozier Field on Sunday, then away to Cudgen and Tweed Coast, are vital in determining if they will be in the play-offs to the final.

"The other results (Cudgen beat Ballina, Tweed Seagulls defeated Byron Bay) went our way so we return to the top on points differential. We are in the hunt," Butcher told the Lismore App.

"The 38-12 win over Lower Clarence was a really good response after our second loss of the season in the last round. We bounced back like we wanted to."

Butcher said the two losses (to Byron Bay by a single point and Ballina by eight points) was down to the fact the side is made up of sixteen, seventeen and eighteen years old.

"It is hard to find consistency every game from kids this young, but I can say we have some really good talent that looks good for the club's future. The captain Brody Jones has played and scored a try in First Grade and Ryan Lee has played in First Grade this season too. The talent is across all ages."

Sixteen-year-old Campbell Harvey, who was on the bench for yesterday's match, came on and scored five tries. Hakeem Torrens and Tyrelle Roberts also scored tries. Roberts kicked five goals.

Tyrelle Roberts scored one try and kicked five goals at Marist Brothers Rams returned to the top of the NRRRL Under 18s ladder. Photo: Christine Butcher

"That was a big achievement for Campbell. He plays either full-back or on the wing. He then went to play for Reserve Grade and scored a try there too," said Butcher.

"He was on the bench as I am trying to keep him a little grounded. he is one of the talented juniors coming through."

Marist Brothers Rams Under 18s v Lower Clarence: Jaru Fraser, Luke Davis, Hakeem Torrens, Harrison Eyre, Ryan Lee, Tyrelle Roberts, Zayd Thomas; Lachlan Rogers, Hudson Love, Brody Jones (captain), Josh Walker, Blake MacRae, Andrew Ferguson-Fitzgerald. Reserves: Campbell Harvey, Ethan Mumford, Aidan Hughes, Bailey Flanagan, Callum Duncan, Isaiah Brown, Scott Torrens.