The under 23's side came away with a 28-8 victory over Victorian Thunderbolts under 20s at Greenfield Park on Saturday.

While after winning last year's Country Championship Riverina's women's side scored an impressive 28-0 win over Victoria to start their title defence plans.

The same teams played trials at Albury last year, but Riverina came away improved results this time around.

Under 23s coach Jody Rudd hopes it bodes well for the representative season ahead.

"It was a good hit out for them and they needed it," Rudd said. "They (Victoria) were pretty well drilled again, and made a lot of errors that helped us out, particularly in the heat, but I think we did all the little things right.

"That is what we were concentrating on, making sure we get the basics right, and we controlled the ruck quite well. I was pretty pleased with it."

With Dylan McLachlan withdrawing due to a hamstring complaint, Rudd was impressed to see halves Kirtis Fisher and Jesse Corcoran get through the full game in the hot conditions.

However both Riverina under 16s and under 18s fell short against their Victorian rivals.

They have another trial against Monaro in Young on Saturday before the start of their Country Championships against Western in Parkes next month.

The under 23s and women's side play their first game against Illawarra on March 7, but the under 23s trial against Western on February 15.

Rudd believes it will be telling as he looks to cut down on his larger squad.

"Everyone performed well so it is going to make that trial against Western Division very important," he said.

"It is going to make the squad hard to cut down."

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