The Magpies are free from the cutthroat pressure of the top four battle but can still elevate themselves up the standings with a second win over the Rams.

In their sights two points ahead are their final-round opponents Scone, with the Magpies hitting the road for their final match.

They started the home season with a loss to cross-town rivals Pirates but can since count Gunnedah and Scone as their home scalps, with hopefully the Rams to add to that list.

But coach Tom Bowman knows they will have to work hard to achieve that.

“They’re coming off a good win over Gunnedah and by all reports were very spirited,” he said.

“It will be tough but we can do it if we put our minds to it.”

That will be the challenge, Bowman said, recognising the Rams as being in a similar position to them – striving to put as much distance as they can between them and the bottom of the table.

The Magpies only just snuck a one-point win in their previous meeting, and Bowman said they would have to be on their game.

“We’re going to have to control the ball a lot better.

“Barraba the way they play, they thrive on their opposition’s mistakes,” he said.

He will be looking for a good structured performance, and to his side to implement a lot of what they showed against Moree last week.

The Magpie lost thet but in a lot of respects it was a positive performance.

Bowman felt if not for what he deemed a couple of tries from knock-ons they could have been only a couple of points behind at half-time.

It was a scenario the Magpies have often encountered, with just a couple of lapses blowing the score out.

The Bulls are at home again tomorrow and face second-placed Inverell in one of two inter-four clashes with top of the table Pirates travelling to Narrabri.

Gunnedah is at home to Scone and Quirindi hosts Walcha in the remaining match-ups.