The Goulburnians welcomed back their highest point-scorer Mik Webber and opened Dave Anable’s reign as coach in determined fashion, denying a willing Bushrangers unit.

The Reds’ attitude was typified in the dying stages when they denied the hosts a share of the points with minutesof- defence on end.

They overcame a lacklustre start and despite trailing 10-nil, remained composed and upbeat.

Webber was pivotal in his first game since 2010, kicking two conversions and a penalty.

The inside centre’s boot proved the difference, as both teams crossed for two tries. Anable praised his workmanlike backrow, namely Zac Weir, Toby White and Jordan Wilcox, each of whom shared best-and-fairest points.

The victory over a team expected to develop into one of the competition’s heavyweights sets the platform for a positive season.

“There’s a few things to work on, but our attitude and application was excellent,” a pleased Anable said on Monday.

“They’re one of the competition heavyweights, they were a big side and they had a big pack.

“I was really pleased that we stuck at them and came over the top of them towards the end of the game.”

The Dirty Reds overcame their share of adversity.

Not only did they concede two tries in the opening exchanges, they lost starting prop Matt White at the 20 minutemark.

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied and through a plucky scrum that packed about its weight, a hardworking trio of loose forwards, a defensively sound backline, and on-song goal-kicker, set about restoring their chances.

The same words of praise cannot be attributed to the Dirty Twos. Goulburn’s second grade outfit opened its season in dreadful fashion, succumbing to the Bushrangers 54-0.

“It wasn’t their day and in the end they got flogged,” Anable said bluntly.

“To their credit they stuck to the plan, but they fell off too many tackles in defence.”

A hefty round one defeat hardly bucks the trend for the Dirty Twos. The second grade outfit last year made a courageous bid for the semi-finals with a string of late-season wins.

Their coach Dave Ellision said prematch he was confident of the Twos’ chances of challenging for the second grade title.

He needs to head back to the drawing board after Saturday’s eight tries to nil rout.

In fact, both Dirty Reds’ sides need to improve further if they’re to overcome old foes the Yass Rams at Poidevin Oval on Saturday.

The clubs’ rivalry dates back more than a century, although they haven’t seen much of each other in recent years. Since 2009, the Rams have taken part in the second grade Monaro Cup competition. With the re-emergence of the Hoggets – the Rams’ second grade outfit – Yass is back among the top tier teams.

The Rams failed to make a glamorous return, going down to ADFA in the national capital last week.

The Dirty Twos could have their work cut out, however, as the Hoggets made memorable return with a gritty 13-10 win over the Academy.

Action gets underway at Poidevin from 1.30pm on Saturday. The first grade match commences at 3pm.