The Rams took to Taralga Sports Field with intent, and managed to score the first try. 

However, Taralga – who were also last year’s grand finalists – responded in kind with two more unanswered tries to lead by half time. 

This left Yass in a similar situation to the match against Taralga towards the end of last season. 

“I was very happy with their response,” Wellington said. 

“My feeling was that they felt it was a game that got away from them.

“For me, a team that’s in development the way this one is, it’s a good attitude. They realise we had our chance but there’s a few mistakes we shouldn’t have made.

“Last year it was 14-10 at half time, I think it blew out to 30 or 40-10, we got smashed. This time it was a complete different result, we went into half time behind but we came back out and said ‘nup, we’re going to play them at their own game’, and that’s what we did.” 

Although the Rams fell to Taralga in the end, 33-36, it was preceded by a hammering of ADFA in the first round. 

Although he was pleased to start the season strong, Wellington was reticent to write off the Canberra-based team on the back of one bad match. 

“What we came up against ADFA was a very young and inexperienced team,”

“A credit to them, they didn’t give up trying at all. They’re a team that I think you won’t see that score again in the second round.

“The more they play, the better they’re gonna be.” 

The Rams will take on Batemans Bay next, in their first home game of the season. 

“They’re another team that was capable of anything last year,” Wellington said. 

“We should do well against them barring any injuries.”

The clash between Batemans Bay and Yass Rams will take place on Victoria Park from 2:30pm on Saturday April 21. 

Wellington encourages all locals who are interested in watching or even playing to come along and have a look.