The Armidale Rams are yet to post a win in the Group 19 A-grade season but signs for the future are promising.
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The Rams took 15 players away to face reigning premiers the Moree Boomerangs on Sunday and found themselves down 38-nil at half-time.
They re-grouped at half-time and the second-half scoreline read 16-all.
Prior to the round nine fixture, the Armidale under-18 side pulled out of the Group 19 competition but A-grade player-coach Luke Kirkby opted to include a trio of youngsters in his line-up.
Jack Armatage, Jack Kingdom and Cormack Hume lined up for the Rams.
"All three of them were outstanding," Kirkby said.
"They are young, energetic and they are keen.
"They know they have no more under 18s anymore and to play rugby league still, they have to try their hardest to play first grade.
"They have earned their spot there, they are very hard working players.
"Cormack Hume, I don't think he has missed a training session all year, he is always wanting to learn, never arguing, all ears and definitely deserved his spot.
"All three of them will get another crack next week against Narwan."
Kirkby rattled off a huge number of names who were absent for the match.
With no reserve grade or under 18s clashes, he was able to draw on their squads to pull together the 15.
"They were all from reserves and 18s but they threw their weight around, they deserved to be there," he said.
"If they keep turning up to training and working hard there is no reason why they will lose their spot."
Kingdom crossed for a second-half double in the 54-16 loss.
"He was fantastic," Kirkby said.
"He has good head on his shoulders, he was bossing the older fellas around and that is what you want from a halfback."
One week after Kirkby bemoaned his team's lack of enthusiasm, he was left feeling more positive about their efforts against the Boomerangs.
"Quite a few weeks back, the boys just didn't want to be out on the field," he said.
"I had to make some changes.
"I played with what I had on the weekend but they proved themselves.
"There was no bickering behind the tryline, there was only enthusiastic talk.
"It was a great second-half, I was very proud of the boys.
"Despite the score, the way they carried themselves in the second-half was outstanding.
"All 15 that showed up wanted to bust their arse for each other and they did exactly that."
While there were no other men's grades, the league tag match proceeded with the Rams finishing as big 34-6 winners.
Taneika Landsborough extended her lead on the tryscorers' tally with another four while Hayley Ford bagged a brace.