Laidley Lions Junior Rugby League Club started the season with home games on 20 April.
The dozen junior teams went up against Redbank at Laidley Recreation Grounds.
U12s coach Shaun Brown said the team came together well despite a rocky start to training.
“We were a bit worried at training because they didn’t get the few little drills they were meant to do, but they showed up today and did what they had to do,” he said.
“Very proud of the boys and the effort they put in today.”
Despite newcomers making up half the team, the boys impressed with their cohesiveness.
“There’s quite a few of them who have played the last three or so years together and there’s half the team this year that’s new,” Brown said.
“So it’s been hard to try and get them to flow together.
“It’s definitely challenging but they’re doing really well.
There was some ‘trial and error’ in determining their positions which they will refine heading into the rest of the season.
“We’ll play around with it at training this week and we’ll see how we go,” Brown said.
Brown said first receiver Lachie did very well in the position he had not played previously, alongside Olly and front rows Andante and Saxon who played very well.
U11s Black coach Trent Nibbs has also welcomed new players to the team this season.
“They’re a good team, they’re starting to gel and they’re playing really good football,” Nibbs said.
“And the new boys that we’ve got come on this year are just adding some extra punch to the team.”
Saturday’s rain added a challenge to the game.
“The wet weather came in and made it a little bit scrappy towards the end there,” Nibbs said.
“But they did everything that I asked them to do at our training session, so that was really really good to see.”
The team put into action a block play and a move off the tap they have been working on.
“I got to see that three or four times each so that was really good to see, especially for their first game of the season,” Nibbs said.
