Group 10, the undefeated competition leaders, headed into Saturday’s match at Parkes as hot favourites again but Wilson’s troops rallied late to give their more-fancied rivals a real scare.

After trailing by 20 points at one stage in the second half, Group 11 stormed back into the contest and scored three tries to set up a grandstand finish and give Group 10 its biggest scare of the season.

But in the end the lead Group 11 gave up was too big, and Group 10 hung on to win 26-20.

“It was more mental. We had that bit of self belief and knew we were capable of being out there with Group 10 and competing with them,” Wilson said.

“Group 10, in men’s and women’s, like to portray an image of being better than us out here further west but our group proved they’re more than capable of holding their own.”

Former Wallaroo Bec Smyth and Wellington Rhianna Sutherland were both standouts again and each scored a double in the match while Kyra Sutcliffe was also praised for Wilson after another consistent showing.

Sutherland also landed a conversion while Tarlee Roberts also successfully booted two.

While there was a whole host of positives for Group 11, Wilson was all too aware his side still lot the match after allowing Group 10 to get away to such a big lead early on.

Bec Ford was again among Group 10’s best and scored the opening try as her side set up a 16-6 half time lead.

“We gave them too big a head-start and then we were chasing our tails,” Wilson said.

“We made it hard on ourselves but we got into that arm wrestle and started to complete our sets and get our kicks away.

“They’re starting to realise you don’t have to score every set. It’s about patience and getting into that grind and we’re getting better at that.

“Once we made Group 10 work for a few back-to-back sets they started to make some mistakes and they would have realised if they’re a bit off then we can take advantage.”

The Group 11 under 18s outfit suffered its first loss of the season on Saturday with Group 10 running out 26-14 winners in what Wilson said was a “reality check” for the talented outfit.

“Maybe they went in a bit too confident,” he said of the Amy Townsend-coached side.

“But it will make them realise if they want it they’ve got to work for it but I think they’ll definitely bounce back because it’s a really talented side.”

Group 11 takes on Castlereagh this weekend with the senior side needing a win to keep a hold on second spot behind Group 10.