DUBBO Kangaroos coach Vince Gordon was delighted to see glimpses of fluent attacking rugby during Saturday's Blowes Clothing Cup win over the Narromine Gorillas.
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Free-flowing ball movement was synonymous with the Roos' during their run to the 2014 premiership and despite a host of new faces, the defending premiers still proved too strong and won 39-11.
Played at Narromine's Cale Oval, the visitors weathered an early storm from the enthusiastic Gorillas but the defending premiers got better as the match went and recorded a five-try to one victory.
"That's what we want to play, take a few risks and have a crack," Gordon said of his side's attacking style.
"I think there were only two fellas from last season's grand final-winning side on the paddock to start with so it's a great win."
For the Gorillas, a pre-season which included not one trial match showed in terms of match fitness and coach and fullback Greg Wynn said that was the biggest factor in his side's loss.
"I thought we were up for it today, which was great, but our fitness let us down towards the back end of each half and that showed on the scoreboard because they ran in a couple of tries at those times," he said.
"I think that's the main thing to work on in the next few weeks."
The home side got out to an 8-0 lead early on after a penalty to five-eighth CJ Smyth and a runaway try to Dan Maroulis following an error from the Roos when they were in an attacking position of their own.
The two sides traded penalties before the visitors began to get more of the ball and work their way into the game.
Second rower John Korff and breakaway James Gilmour then both barged over the line from close range in the latter stages of the first half to give the Dubbo side a 15-11 lead at the break.
Winger Blake Sharp got his first try of the day shortly after the break following a strong run from debutant Elias Kinscher, far and away the best on the ground.
As the Gorillas showed signs of fatigue, replacement James Mata slotted a penalty for Dubbo before Josh Tremain, making his competitive debut for the Roos, showed his class as he powered across the line, despite a host of Gorillas in his way, to score the visitors' fourth try of the day.
The icing was put on the cake late on as Sharp crossed for his second and Mata's sideline conversion sealed the 39-11 victory.
Gordon, coaching his first match following the departure of former mentor Paul Hennock, highlighted flanker Kinscher as his standout but also praised the impact of Tremain, tight-end Ned Williams and youngsters O'Connor and John Robertson.
Young five-eighth Robertson in particular showed some flashes of class and looks set to be a player who can guide the team around following the absence of Scott Burgess and Ted Bates.
"We knew Narromine would come hard at us and they did that but luckily we got the better of them and came away with a good win," Gordon said
"The boys are certainly going to have weather some more storms too but it's good to get a win like that."
DUBBO KANGAROOS 39 (Blake Sharp 2, John Korff, James Gilmour, Josh Tremain tries; Charles O'Connor 2 conversions, 1 penalty; James Mata 2 conversions, 1 penalty) defeated NARROMINE GORILLAS 11 (Daniel Maroulis try; CJ Smyth 2 penalties)