Ridley’s Cowboys had just survived a spirited late charge from Werris Creek to remain unbeaten in Second Division.

Having looked home and hosed at 24-6, Dungowan started to paddle late and opened the door for the Magpies.

The defending premiers reduced the margin to six points, but the 24-18 scoreline would remain at the final siren.

“We stuck to the game-plan for the first 50-60 minutes, but in the last 20 minutes we went away from it and Werris Creek got a roll on,” Ridley said.

“If there was another five minutes it might have been a different story.

“We scrambled pretty well towards the end to hang on and all credit to Werris Creek for coming back, because I think they were undermanned at that point.”

But the two points did come at a cost with Ethan Sherlock (shoulder), Josh Steel (knee) and Matt Wilson (broken nose) casualties from a tough game of footy.

Second-rower Clint Ridley, five-eighth Jack Pawsey and Lochie Collins, who rotated between lock and hooker, proved the leading lights for the Cowboys, now owners of a 2-0 record.

The coach also praised the contribution of newcomer Ben Ainsworth.

“Ben is a rangy fella who played his second game of rugby league and came off the bench to do a good job for us in the second-row,” Corey Ridley said.

The result means Werris Creek has opened its title defence with two losses.