Albury jumped out to a 23-0 lead before the Boiled Lollies started to show something, and it could have been worse with James Olds missing all four conversions.

Small thought his team sapped from its draw with Leeton in wet conditions last week and were simply outplayed by one of the competition’s front runners.

“We come up against what I consider the best side of the competition and to stick in out for the 80 minutes, hang in there and second half was 8-7,” Small said.

"We just let them get too big of a lead in the first half.

“We are close, but a work in progress.”

“With a young side I think we are taking steps in the right direction.”

Defence was a massive problem in the first half as the Steamers made easy metres through the middle and on the edges.

It was improved in the second half, however the Boiled Lollies’ lineout continues to be a issue, with almost all of their throws falling the way of the Steamers.

Captain and thrower Jock Crockatt missed the game with a broken injury, but he is expected to be back for the next game following the bye.

Young gun Jono Lally had a strong game when he came on in second half at five-eighth.