RUGBY LEAGUE: The Tweed Coast Raiders are back on top of the NRRRL ladder, putting together their most convincing performance last weekend.

The 18-10 win over Murwillumbah was a tough and grinding game, synonymous with the Raiders who won their first premiership last season.

With a bye this weekend to rest up before the middle of the season, coach Brent Kite said he is pleased with how the side has faired in the opening five matches of the year.

The premiership winning coach said there is plenty of improvement left in his charges, but believed there were good sings coming out of the win over the Mustangs.

"I think we turned the corner last weekend, being able to grind out a game,” Kite said.

"We have been guilty of poor ball control and throwing the ball around.

"We were guilty of starting the season a bit sluggish, but last week was our toughest and grittiest performance for sure.

"Last week we were able to get into an arm wrestle and maintain it for 80 minutes.

"The defence was the stand out for sure.”

While many of the players from last year's premiership winning side have returned, the Raiders do have a less experienced forward pack and a new halves pairing.

While the new halves pairing are starting to come together, it is a few members of the forward pack which Kite said has been very pleasing.

"We have had some big outs so those young forwards have had to step into that leadership role,” he said.

"Luke Toon and Kalani Hensby were joint man of the match last week, and throw in Daniel Ross, they are going to be the future of the club.”

The Raiders have secured four wins from their first five games, and while they have not produced their best football according to Kite, he said he is still reasonably happy with how the campaign has gone so far.

"The one loss hurt because we do set a pretty high standard,” he said.

"All things considered it is still a strong start to the year.

"We have all of the challenges with defending the competition but we are going well.”

Tweed Coast will return from the bye with back-to-back home games at Cabarita.

The first game will be a grand final rematch against the Ballina Seagulls on Sunday, May 19.

The Raiders will then back up a week later to face their local rivals, Cudgen Hornets the following Sunday in a round-eight showdown.

Kick-off for both games will be at 2.45pm.