Barbarians took the spoils in a 22-16 win over the CSU men, who won't be disheartened after an encouraging showing.

There will be thoughts of 'what could have been' for the students who squandered an early first half lead but there's a long season still ahead of them and plenty of time to learn from their mistakes.

Barbarians' Grant Cock stole the show with his hat-trick in the win at Portland.

"It was what we expected from Orange and we always seem to play fairly entertaining games against them," CSU captain Billy Dickinson said.

"I think we were lucky to be within six points. We were pretty rusty but I think we still played fairly well for our first game."

Mungoes picked up the first two tries of the match before errors crept into the Bathurst side's game.

Those mistakes allowed Barbarians to get themselves into the contest and take control of the game.

CSU will get a better idea of where they stand after their matches against the competition's other two teams, Portland Colts and Lithgow Bears.

"Errors and discipline were the big things. There were a couple of times where he dropped the ball early in the tackle count and just shot ourselves in the foot," Dickinson said.

"It's encouraging to get a competitive game first up but we're expecting close games against everyone this year.

"Lithgow might not have been strong in recent years but they've got a few new boys and even though they did go down by a fair bit on Saturday I'm expecting them to be stronger than what they have been.

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"Portland look to have improved a fair bit and that's great for the comp."

Canowindra native and five-eighth Joseph Coady was the referee's pick for best CSU player on ground.

Dickinson also highlighted the performances of vice captain Todd Pattison and centre Josh Byrom as being some of the day for the Mungoes.

There will be a great atmosphere expected at Diggins Oval for CSU's first home game this Saturday, where the club's two league tag teams will have their first derby of the year.

CSU are running a Ladies and Family Day event - to coincide with Mother's Day - with raffles to be held and proceeds going to the Central West Women's Health Centre.