City turned a 5-0 half-time deficit into a 29-5 victory in the inaugural Bryson Anderson Memorial Shield, their forward pack having inspired the resurgence.

NSW Country coach Mick Morris admitted City were too good for his men.

"We actually led at half-time, we were up 5-0, but in the second half the City boys stepped it up a notch and we couldn't go with them,” he said.

"I think they didn't play as well as they could in the first half and they just lifted.

"Their forwards played really well in the second half, they dominated at the breakdown and they turned over a lot of ball.

"It was my first time visiting the Bathurst venue and it was very, very impressive.”

Overseeing the the Country side, which included Bathurst police officers Chris Lynch and Josh Lee, was not Morris’ only job on Saturday.

He is also coach of the NSW Police side which will take on the NSW Fire Brigade league team and attend the Australian Police Championships next March.

As such, he was happy to see good performers on both sides of the field on Saturday.

"It was played in good spirit. It was definitely disappointing to lose, but the level of the game was very good and that was pleasing to see,” he said. "Both City and Country had a good mix of guys in the side last year and will again this year, and we've got some new guys who played quite well and will be picked as well.”