The Blowes Cup season got under way at No. 1 Oval with the bruising local derby and both sides looked a bit rusty throughout the match with plenty of errors and penalties given away.

After Narromine led 13-6 at halftime, the Roos got themselves back within touching distance but with only seconds remaining they were still down 16-15.

But from a lineout the ball got to Pauta and the powerful centre hit a gap 22m out from the tryline and had too much speed and strength for the Gorillas backs and Hennock said without the NSW Country representative in his ranks, it would have been a different story.

"Without him the result goes the other way but he's a special player and it's great to have special players in your side," he said.

Narromine captain-coach Greg Wynn admitted it was a painful way to lose but said Dubbo were worthy winners.

"It's a disappointing start, we thought we had it for a little while but they stayed in there the whole game and that try at the end cruelled us a bit but they played well and deserved the win," he said.

"We've got a lot to work on, fitness at this stage of the year is not where it needs to be but we'll get back to training and do a bit more work and we'll only be better from here."

Former Narromine fullback Scott Burgess looked nervous against his old club with two missed penalties and some wobbly kicks off his boot during the match but his four penalties kept his side in the game after an early penalty to CJ Smythe and a try to Wynn had the Gorillas up 10-0 early.

Narromine flyhalf Smythe kicked three penalties and a conversion for the visitors and his final penalty, just two minutes from time, had looked to give his side victory but Pauta, who had been controlled well by the Gorillas defence all game, burst through off a ball from replacement flyhalf James Mata to give his side the points.

"We're just working at the start of the season so I enjoyed winning that one," Hennock said.

"It reflects our preseason. We haven't got everyone there that we've wanted but hopefully that's a big lesson and a sign for the boys to get to training and do the work."

While Hennock admitted his side were lucky to win and there was plenty still to be done, he praised his players attitude for playing right until the final whistle.

"The heart and the ticker, there was a never-say-die and never give up attitude and if taking nothing else from today, that's a great thing," he said.

o Dubbo Kangaroos 22 (Filisione Pauta try; Scott Burgess 1/1 con, 5/7 pen) def Narromine Gorillas 16 (Greg Wynn try; CJ Smythe 1/1 con, 3/4 pen).