Craig’s decision to positionally switch halfback Adam Ruttley and fullback Harlee Millgate proved highly judicious against the third-placed Bears at Bundarra on Saturday – the 52-12 result arresting.

Ruttley posted a hat-trick of tries as he relished the extra room at the back in a man of the match display, while skipper Millgate led from the front in a performance Craig labelled one of the side’s best.

The win moved Bendemeer, winless in 2016 in a wooden-spoon season, from fourth to second on the ladder, six points behind the Roosters, following the first round of the season’s second half.

Along with his desire for the Mountain Men to have greater self-belief, pre-match Craig touched on the team’s need to play with more consistency, or perish in what is a tight competition.

The Bundarra win followed last week’s 26-18 defeat of Werris Creek. With back to back wins and seven victories from 12 matches, Craig hopes his troops are about to deliver the consistency he desires.

“We sort of did everything right (against Bundarra) but we’ve still got a lot of room for improvement, though,” Craig said.

“That’s two on the trot and a bit more consistency that I spoke about. With a little bit more improvement, I’m sure we can keep going along with it.”

He added: “A few blokes probably have a new-found confidence, especially against a side that beat us earlier in the year. We turned up knowing it was going to be tough but we really played a good game of football and put some good points on the board.”

Watch out Boggabri, Dungowan and Kootingal-Moonbi – the Mountain Men are seeking revenge.

After avenging the first-round loss to Bundarra, Bendemeer aims to do the same to the three other teams who have beaten them this year.

One senses Craig has drawn up a hit list and is using it to help fuel his side’s run to the finals.

“We want to make sure that those sides who beat us, we get the two points back off them in the second half (of the season),” he said, adding, with the confidence of a manager who has increased faith in his product, this: “They (Bundarra) are a quality side with some quality footballers but we were just far better today.”

In other Group 4 Second Division matches, Uralla moved to sixth on the ladder with a 36-20 home win over Walcha on Friday night – their fourth consecutive victory.

Also on Saturday, the Magpies beat up Manilla 48-14 at Werris Creek to stop the rot, Dungowan travelled to Boggabri and lost 40-14 and the Roosters disposed of Bingara 58-13.

In Ladies League Tag action, Uralla edged Walcha 14-8, Werris Creek downed Manilla 30-6, Dungowan pipped Boggabri 16-10 and Bundarra saw off Bendemeer 14-10.

The unofficial table for the Calibire Country Second Division competition after round 12:

1- Kootingal 22

2 - Bendemeer 16

3 - Barraba 16

4 - Manilla 15

5 - Bundarra 15

6 - Uralla 15

7 - Boggabri 14

8 - Dungowan 13

9 - Werris Creek 10

10 - Walcha 9

11 - Bingara 4

The unofficial table for the Second Division Super Steel ladies League Tag competition after round 12:

1 - Kootingal 23

2 - Walcha 20

3 - Uralla 20

4 - Dungowan 19

5 - Werris Creek 14

6 - Barraba 14

7 - Boggabri 9

8 - Bendemeer 8

9 - Manilla 7

10 - Bundarra 6