Taralga are the reigning premiers in the South Coast Monaro Second Division, having beaten Bungendore in the breathtaking 2018 grand final, but the Rams arrived in Taralga full of confidence.

"We went down there with a fair bit of respect for them, but we also know we've trained really hard in the pre-season and got a good bunch of blokes together this year," left-centre Hewitt said. 

The biggest difference between the teams was the error count, as the Rams conceded a number of penalties which allowed Taralga to solidify its lead. 

"A lack of discipline gave them their [four] penalty goals [which were the biggest difference]," Hewitt said. 

"It was a pretty even match, really. We just need to fix our discipline up." 

For most of the match, both the Rams and the Tigers traded tries. Taralga's first came in the 16^th minute, and Yass replied 10 minutes later when Sam Pye-Edwards crossed. 

By the end of the match, Taralga had three tries (two converted) to Yass's two, but the Tigers capitalised on the Rams' penalties, which blew the match open. 

While the loss is disappointing for the Rams, Hewitt said that there were plenty of positives to draw from their defeat. 

"Enthusiasm, how much everyone is keen to play and play well for Yass," he said. 

"A lot of the new players are settling in and really putting in." 

The pre-season was hard work for Yass, but Hewitt said that it should hold them in good stead throughout the year. 

"It was really strong numbers, a lot of new faces, some old blokes returning to the club," he said. 

"Everyone's enthusiastic, [we've got] a good committee, it's all coming together really well for a good year of rugby." 

After playing the reigning premiers, this weekend will get no easier for Yass as they square off against the Bungendore Mudchooks in Yass. 

The Mudchooks only lost last year's grand final thanks to a last-minute penalty goal, and were one of the dominant sides in the latter half of the 2018 season. 

"I think we'll be out to put a good show on for the first home game," Hewitt said. 

"We'll be going into the game pretty confident, but not too confident, because you've gotta have respect for last year's runners-up.

"They gave us a pretty good toweling in the last round last year, so we're gonna get out there and get stuck into them and hope that all the hard work pays off." 

The Rams will play the Mudchooks at Victoria Park from 2.30pm on Saturday.