Werris Creek and Dungowan hit the paddock for the first time in over 12 months at Dungowan on Saturday and for both sides there were plenty of encouraging signs for the season ahead.
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The trial was a valuable hit-out as they ramp up their preparations ahead of the Group 4 competition kick-off.
The Magpies had hoped to have a run against Uralla earlier this month but that fell through when the Tigers folded.
"It was really good," co-coach Cody Tickle said of Saturday's trial.
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"The new blokes that I wanted to have a look at they were pretty impressive and the stuff that we've been doing at training shone through."
He made particular mention of new recruits Nick Hanrahan and Jessie Murray. Both were impressive, he said.
The former hasn't laced up the boots since 2009.
Riley Leonard playing in the centres was another to impress. The younger brother of lock Zack, he is still eligible to play for the under-18s, which the Magpies are at this stage still pushing forward with.
Tickle said overall there were a lot of promising signs.
"It's a good base to build off and I think we'll build off that," he said.
He and coaching counterpart Tom Brown weren't really looking for too much from the trial.
It was more about "getting the ball back in the hands and some miles in the legs" and implementing a few of the things they've been working on at training.
It was the same for the Cowboys.
"We were just looking for a hit-out and giving the boys a bit of a run," president Rob Brady said.
"They've probably been a bit stir-crazy the last 12 months."
He said they happy with how the trial went.
"It was very encouraging," he said.
"Shaun Ferguson would have been pretty happy with what he saw, and same with [second grade coach] Matty Jenner."
It was a good chance for both coaches to see what some of the new faces have to offer.
Both clubs will have at least one more hit-out before the season kicks-off. The Magpies are scheduled to play Kootingal on April 10 and are trying to organise another trial for the 17th or the 24th, while the Cowboys tackle Boggabri on the 10th.
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