The Cowra Magpies under 18s side have sent an early warning two weeks out from the start of the regular Group 10 season dominating the Orange knockout.
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On Saturday the Magpies beat hosts Orange CYMS 34-6 in the decider after earlier victories against Mudgee (18-4), Oberon (26-0) and Bathurst Panthers (10-4).
While coach Craig Jeffries was extremely pleased with his side he admitted he was slightly shocked.
"I was very impressed and a bit shocked," Jeffries said.
"Usually you come away from these pre-season tournaments with plenty to work on. We've got a few minor things to work on but that's it, I couldn't fault any player."
Cowra were forced to work hard playing two games back-to-back during the day before watching CYMS beat Hawks in the first semi final 13-12.
After, the Magpies knocked over Panthers by six in the second semi final and then piled 34 unanswered points on CYMS in the decider.
"They [CYMS] had a squad of about 25, they were huge," Magpies coach Craig Jeffries said.
"We were just too fast for them. We were the best team on the day and we proved it in the final."
The Magpies were led by the usual suspects in Regan Hughes and Daniel Jeffries however the coach identified Zach Starr and Jake Wythes as valuable additions to the squad.
Hughes and Jeffries, along with Rick Nobes and Zac Browne, were selected in the Group 10 side to travel to Dubbo in May for the Western Rams trials.
Jeffries says he's confident the 18s can reproduce their efforts from last season while Orange Hawks again remain the side to beat.
"I like how we're building, we'll be right up there," he said.
"Even though Hawks went down in the semi of the knockout they'll be tough, they've always been the team to beat throughout this age group."
The 18s trained last night and will have the rest of the week off before returning next week to prepare for Lithgow in round one on April 12.
