Ill-discipline and penalties proved costly for a fresh-faced Robb College team against the Blues in round one but they have the chance to improve on that when they face Glen Innes this Saturday.
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After being in front at the back-end of the game, the students' mistakes allowed the Blues to take the lead, and ultimately, the win.
Coach David McCathie believes they learned a lot out of the Blues game and said his side will be aiming to clean up a few key areas against Glen Innes.
"Pretty simple game plan from us," he said.
"They are the two things we have got to work on; ruck infringements and ball retention.
"And we will see how we go."
McCathie admitted he doesn't know too much about Glen Innes.
"I am sure they will be hard and physical again so we just have to make sure we tackle well and watch our discipline again," he said.
McCathie highlighted those areas as contributing to the loss against the Blues.
"We were in front, I think it was 21-11 with 15 minutes to go," he said.
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"We played quite well [but] a bit of discipline and ball-handling in the wet cost us.
"The Blues have such a good back line, you can't give them a sniff.
"They respond very well, when they get a chance, they take it and then they fire up.
"Very hard to control when they get a run on."
But he did see the positives out of it.
The students had three weeks preparation leading into the game and, with much of last year's premiership-winning squad departing, are mostly new faces.
McCathie said it was a good first-up hit out for the relatively new team.
"It was a really good test for our guys and our boys tackled and defended really well so I was really pleased," he said.
"Our new young kids were fantastic and they would have been a bit apprehensive of grade football coming out of school and stuff so I thought they acquitted themselves well."
Ellen Dunger
Originally from the Blue Mountains, I spent my teenage years in the Riverina at boarding school before moving to Bathurst in 2012 to complete Bachelor of Sport Studies/ Bachelor of Communications (journalism) at Charles Sturt University. I started my career at The Blayney Chronicle in May 2015 and worked casually, one day a week at the Central Western Daily later that year. I moved to Armidale in March 2016 to take on the role as the Northern Tablelands' sports journalist. Played a variety of sports in my lifetime including touch football, league tag, gymnastics, dance, cross country running and equestrian. Am currently involved in endurance horse riding and racing. Always happy to hear news and tips. Contact me via email: ellen.dunger@austcommunitymedia.com.au or phone/ text 0438 259 985 www.facebook.com/ellendungerjournalist/
Originally from the Blue Mountains, I spent my teenage years in the Riverina at boarding school before moving to Bathurst in 2012 to complete Bachelor of Sport Studies/ Bachelor of Communications (journalism) at Charles Sturt University. I started my career at The Blayney Chronicle in May 2015 and worked casually, one day a week at the Central Western Daily later that year. I moved to Armidale in March 2016 to take on the role as the Northern Tablelands' sports journalist. Played a variety of sports in my lifetime including touch football, league tag, gymnastics, dance, cross country running and equestrian. Am currently involved in endurance horse riding and racing. Always happy to hear news and tips. Contact me via email: ellen.dunger@austcommunitymedia.com.au or phone/ text 0438 259 985 www.facebook.com/ellendungerjournalist/
