The Tenterfield Tigers men's side signalled their intentions to the rest of the competition with a round one triumph over a fancied Tingha Tigers side.
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Tingha moved into the Group 19 second division competition this year and had recruited well in the off-season but it was Tenterfield who impressed with a 20-12 win.
Both teams are known for their flamboyant attacking flair but Tenterfield co-coach Jake Kelly said it there was more "structure" than anticipated.
"The first-half was a bit of an arm wrestle, I think it was 6-4 at half-time," he said.
It was very good to get the win at the start of the year.
- Jake Kelly
"I think both teams tried to play to a bit of structure really.
"We want to try and play a bit structured this year and just play ad-lib footy when the opportunity arises.
"We played pretty well structured in the second-half and I think that is what set up our tries."
Kelly said his side were slow to start with errors and penalties costing them early on.
"The second-half we came out and started really well; started playing to our structures and had a roll on," he said.
"We ended up scoring a few tries on the back of a few boys playing direct and running hard."
Kelly lauded his second-rowers and bench players.
"Josh Lucas was a standout for us, I think he got two tries," he said.
"Brendan Blaker was pretty good for us on the left-hand edge as well. Wayne Brown, he was really good coming off the bench for us, kept the momentum going. The boys who came on from the bench kept the momentum going when there was a few interchanges.
"It was very good to get the win at the start of the year."
In the league tag, it wasn't the start the Megg Landers-coached side wanted.
They went down 36-nil to Tingha. Photos: here
This Saturday, Tenterfield head to Walcha to face the Jillaroos and Roos.
The league tag match will begin at 3.30pm with the men's to follow.