Played in front of a gate that took nearly $4000 at Jock Colley Field, the red and blacks overcame an 18-10 half-time deficit to take a two-point lead 13 minutes into the second term.

Alex Bonham and Parkes pick-up Fletcher Strong both completing doubles to hand their side a 20-18 advantage before Forbes backrower Ben Maguire then scored with nine minutes remaining to shoot the hosts out to a 26-18 lead.

Ensuring a grand stand finish, Group 10 hit back late in the contest, bench backrower Mike Ingwerson diving on a grubber that was within millimetres of the dead-ball line to give the two blues hope of a win, but Group 11’s defence held strong at the death.

Strangely enough, defence was what won it for Col Wright’s outfit on Saturday, Group 11 denying multiple Group 10 raids at the back end of the first half to ensure the visitors lead didn’t grow beyond eight points.

And defence is what will nab Group 11 the majority of Western Rams jumpers on offer in Darren Jackson’s under 23s outfit, set to be named on Sunday.

Group 11 skipper Sam Dwyer said if he had his way the make-up of the Western team would be an easy one.

“We should get majority in, we won, that’s usually the case. If it was up to me, I’d have all of them in there. That’s probably not going to be the case though,” he smiled.

“No doubt Group 11 will want a few more (than us),” Group 10 coach Graeme Osborne said.

“They’ll probably get two thirds, we might get a third. The initiative of under 23s, I think it was a good display and 26-24, you can’t ask for more. 

“The kids put it on a hot day.”

Group 11 came out firing, Wade Kavanagh splitting the Group 10 defence in the opening set of the game to put Bonham over under the posts for his first try.

Strong scored his first three minutes later and the hosts led 10-0 after four minutes.

But an even share of possession, and the introduction of Group 10’s bench, soon swung the game.

The quartet of Lochie Hobby, Ingwerson, Jedd Betts and Mitch Squire helped Group 10 to a half-time lead, tries coming through Jackson Brien, Jye Barrow and Nathan Orr, his an opportunistic effort after gathering a Bonham grubber that copped a deflection and racing 60 metres to score.

Just as they started the first, Group 11’s opening points came through Bonham and Strong, again, both impressive throughout the 80 minutes as their side held firm to secure victory.

“Defence in the end was the key for us,” Dwyer said.

“We came out in the second half and that’s what we worked on, our D. We had a few back-to-back sets where we had to defend and we dug in and it paid off.”

Dubbo CYMS prop Lee Price was tremendous throughout an 80 minute effort up front. Selectors will be hard pressed overlooking him after a man of the match performance.

Likewise Group 10’s Rakai Tuheke and Keelan Bresac, both great in a losing side. 

By his own admission still a little sceptical about the under 23s concept, Osborne said his side’s mistakes cost it victory in the end.

“You complete your sets, hold the ball and the other team hates tackling … you can’t win games when you complete five out of 14 sets,” he added. 

“We were a bit behind the eight ball, a few guys pull out. You put a side together as best you can.”

GROUP 11 26 (Alex Bonham 2, Fletcher Strong 2, Ben Maguire tries; Alex Bonham 3 goals) def GROUP 10 24 (Jackson Brien, Jye Barrow, Nathan Orr, Mike Ingwerson tries; Jye Barrow 4 goals)