FIGHTING FIT: A file picture of Burwood Robinson, who has recovered from a rough time with his health to pull on a Northern United jersey again tomorrow.

HALFBACK Burwood Robinson has worked his way back into first grade for Northern Rivers Regional Rugby League club Northern United after overcoming a bout of double pneumonia.

Robinson will replace Michael Moran, whose nose was broken in the brutal match against the Kyogle Bush Turkeys last weekend.

It's been a long road to recovery for Robinson, who started the season in first grade but had to drop out because of serious concerns for his health

“He came down with double pneumonia just after the start of the season,” United coach Chris Binge said.

“He lost a hell of a lot of weight and was in hospital for two or three weeks.

“But his health has turned around and he has returned to full fitness and, hopefully, he can step in and do a job for us.”

United take on the Cudgen Hornets tomorrow at Crozier Field, Lismore, in what will be a run of three games in the space of nine days.

On Tuesday night, the fledgling club will play a catch-up game against the Mullumbimby Giants then tackle the Ballina Seagulls next Saturday.

It's the kind of schedule that could make or break a season, but Binge is trying to keep his focus strictly on the Hornets.

“We know we have a tough nine days ahead but we will be fresh for Sunday and ready to go,” he said.

“We've prepared this week pretty good and we'll have plenty of petrol in the tank to get through what we need to do this weekend.

“We want to make Cudgen the priority before we even think about the games on Tuesday and Saturday.”

The Hornets will be backing up after a 54-26 romp against the Grafton Rhinos, while Northern United were lucky to escape with a 34-32 win over Kyogle.

Those scorelines and the prospect of a dry weekend of football promise another try-fest.

“Hopefully, we will get a nice change of weather to go our way,” Binge said.

“We play a pretty open brand of football, so definitely it would be good to get a dry track.

“We are a bit leg weary after Kyogle, which was a bit of a bog wash, and we were lucky to get a win along the way.

“We know they (Cudgen) had a bit of a try-fest up there, but we are not too focused on what Cudgen is doing, we have to get our house in order.”

Northern United: Fullback, Roy Bell; wingers, Jerome Hammond, Clarence Kelly; centres, Chris Swann, Fred Waters; five-eighth, Justin Bolt; halfback, Burwood Robinson; props, Buddy King, Dave Fernando; hooker, Willie Hammond; second-rowers, Alan McKenzie, Len Hickling; lock, Alwyn Roberts. Coach: Chris Binge.

TODAY

Evans Head v Mullumbimby at Stan Payne Oval, Evans Head. Under-18s from noon, first grade 2.45pm

Evans Head: Fullback, Sam Kennedy; wingers, Drew Tebbutt, Tom Martin; centres, Brett Harvey, Eli Cook; five-eighth, Luke Turner; halfback, Dale Layland; props, Tim Tredigo, Eddie Solomona; hooker, Adam Bartusch; second-rowers, Jay Onslow, Josh Cook; lock, Tyson McKenna. Bench: Kyle Hancock. Coach: Damien Bryant.

Mullumbimby: Fullback, Tim Abbott; wingers, Chad Grant, Troy McCarthy; centres, Jay Hampson, Glen Godbee; five-eighth, Jason Willis; halfback, Chase Nelson; props, Dan Molenaar, Luke Scott; hooker, Scott Gibson; second-rowers, Brett Archibald, Jared Flick; lock, Andrew Moroney. Bench: Luke Woods. Coach: Wayne Cullen.

Tweed Coast Raiders v Marist Brothers at Les Berger Field. Under-18s from 3pm, first grade 5.45pm

Tweed Coast Raiders: Fullback, Michael Ashburn; wingers, Josh Togo, Tyrone Smith; centres, Tamati Coates, Steve Carsons; five-eighth, Reece Sandy; halfback, Nathan Jordan; props, Corey Marr, Michael Sharpe; hooker, Dane Heron; second-rowers, Matt Salttery, Nathan Callister; lock, Paul Abric. Reserve: John Marks.

TOMORROW

Northern United v Cudgen at Crozier Field, Lismore. First grade 2.45pm

Grafton Rhinos v Ballina at McKittrick Park, South Grafton. First grade kick-off 2.45pm

Byron Bay v Kyogle at Red Devil Park, Byron Bay. First grade 2.45pm

Lower Clarence v Grafton Ghosts, at Yamba Sports Complex. First grade 2.45pm

Murwillumbah v Casino RSM at Stan Sercombe Oval, Murwillumbah. First grade 2.45pm.

TEAMS 

Grafton Rhinos: Fullback, Joel Moss; wingers, Aaron Martin, Luke Worthing; centres, Dwayne Duke, Ray Mercy; five-eighth, Ronald Gordon; halfback, Stevie Kirby; props, Tim Tilse, Xavier Sullivan (c); hooker, Todd Cameron; second-rowers, Seb Dalton, Ben Woods; lock, Ryan Danvers. Reserve: Brad Rodda.

Ballina: Fullback, Matt Gibbson; wingers, Chris Dooley, Sam Howlett; centres. Jono Freeman, Ryan Packowski; five-eighth, Ben Crawford; halfback, Brent Peterson (c); props, Mick Foster, Chris Coleman; hooker, Paul O'Neill; second-rowers, Kane Montgomery, Lloyd Brown; lock, Dean French. Reserve: Joe Means.

Kyogle: Fullback, Clinton Horne (c); wingers, Athol Williams, Dan Walsh; centres, Blake Anderson, Courtney Nagas; five-eighth, Garry Roberts; halfback, Michael Walker; props, Scott Lavelle, Alex Farrell; hooker, Todd Newton; second-rowers, Shaun Wells, Cameron Reid; lock, Josh Foley. Reserve: Justin Parker.

Murwillumbah: Fullback, Vickta Akiba; wingers, Richard Arrowsmith, Dylan Smith; centres, Craig Lilley, Nico Neidhart, five-eighth, Sam Panting; halfback, Ben White; props, Brad Purtell, Shane Kite; hooker, Simon Booth; second-rowers, Nick Forrester, Louis Lilley; lock, Dean Corringan. Reserve: Andrew Barnes.