THE Kootingal-Moonbi Roosters and Werris Creek Magpies have put their best foot forward ahead of the 2019 Group 4 season.
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The first grade rivals went head to head in a final trial match hit out ahead of the first round of the season on May 4.
In a see-sawing encounter, both sides had their chances to walk away with a victory.
However, it was the Roosters who stood tall at the final whistle, recording a 26-22 victory.
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Werris Creek first grade coach Ron Dellar told the Leader he "couldn't have asked for a better trial match".
"It was a really physical, hard-fought trial match," Dellar said.
"The game was really good for us in that we were able to have a hit out against a really quality opposition.
"Kootingal are very good team, make no mistake about it.
"They have some really good players and young Jordan Sharpe leading them on the field, they are a really good side."
It was a new-look Creek outfit with Callum Hayne lining up at full back for the first time with his new club.
"I thought Callum played really well," Dellar said.
"As well as him, our forwards played really well as well.
"The lot of them worked really hard and carried out exactly what we were after."
With both sides crossing for five tries a piece during the game, missed conversions were the difference with Werris Creek converting just once from five attempts.
"I think there is a few things we need to work on but that's the beauty of these trial matches," Dellar said.
"We will certainly look at improving our kicking but you only know that from going through these trial matches."
Dellar said the Creek would now turn their attention to an inter-club trial match on April 27 ahead of their round one clash against North Tamworth on May 4.
"I think it will be a pretty good chance for a few guys to push their case for first grade selection," he said.
"Given that there is still about three weeks until round one, a 40 minute club trial will be a perfect way for us to sharpen up for the first game.
"It will be tough for us to line up another trial match against another club so having this run and maybe a barbecue after should hopefully set us up for round one."