"And we have some players from the under-18s. It has been a blessing in disguise [having the young players] step up.
"They are only 17 but, yeah, I've been pretty impressed with the fellas who have stepped up."
Mangakino gave Ngongotaha a good run on Saturday but the Rotorua side proved too strong, winning the match by two converted tries.
"Mangakino are a team to watch out for," James said.
"We were down 8-0 for the first 15 minutes. We under-estimated them a little bit, I think, but once we went back to our structures we played a bit better."
He said Mangakino well deserve their spot in the premier competition, after being promoted to the top grade this year.
James said Ngongotaha's main aim at this stage was to reach the playoffs.
"Our goal is to make the top four and see what happens from there. We are just taking every game as it comes."
He said one of their standout players on Saturday was young centre Josh Taylor.
"He is only 17 and scored a double on Saturday and was remarkable on defence."
In the other premier games on Saturday, Pikiao got back to winning ways with a huge 82-6 win over Central (Rotorua).
Central have struggled to find their feet in the tough premier competition since being promoted this season and may end up back in the reserve grade.
Taupo were clinical against Forestland (Tokoroa), winning their match 58-4 at home.
The win for Taupo opens up a gap between the top four and fifth-placed Forestland.
Pacific, Ngongotaha, Pikiao and Taupo make up the top four.
Bay of Plenty District Rugby League round seven results on Saturday:
Premier grade: Mangakino 26 Ngongotaha 38, Central 6 Pikiao 82, Taupo 58 Forestland 4.
Reserve grade: Reporoa 86 Turangi 6, Pikiao Snrs 58 Pikiao Res 26.
