Despite the win, Bermagui’s new captain coach Dale Cameron said there is room for improvement from his team.

“Obviously the win and to get those four points is the most important part of the game, but for us it is also about structure, setting ourselves up for the season and getting our processes right,” he said.

“We spoke about this after the game, but we probably only played one decent quarter out of the four. 

“But in saying that, for over half of the team it was their first hit out of the season, so from that aspect it is a good result.” 

Bega coach Chris Dwyer said although his team defended well, at the end of the day they ran out of puff.

“I am disappointed with the loss,” Dwyer said.

“I thought we could have won it and deserved to win it, however there were a lot of positives to take out of the first game of the season.

“We were just a bit unorganised at the start and it took us a little bit of time to get into the game.”

Both teams were evenly matched in the first quarter, and although they were caught off-guard, Bermagui was able to notch up three goals, whereas Bega only managed three behinds, leaving the score at 22-3.

Bega fought back hard in the second quarter to put themselves within 12 points of the lead and maintained that distance in the third to have the scores at 60-48 in favour of the Breakers with the final quarter to play.

Both teams continued their consistency in the fourth.

However, an extra four goals to Bermagui in lieu of Bega’s two saw the home team take the first round points.

Daniel Smith was the Breakers’ leading goal kicker with five, with Nathan Finnen providing extra support with two.

John Harney kicked three goals for Bega, and he was backed up by Chris Dwyer with two goals and Aaron Wheatley with one. 

Dwyer praised Nathan Leahy for a great first game back, as well as 16-year-old Kel Evans for his ferocity towards the ball.

“Also Nathan Carpenter - despite recent circumstances, he is one of the original five members of the Bombers and had the best game of his career,” Dwyer said.

“He did a brilliant job of tagging [Bermagui’s] Luke Moresi.”

Cameron praised his opposing coach, Dwyer, for his impressive game, and picked his own Finnen and Smith as best on field.

Dwyer said his team was confident going into its opening match and will remain confident ahead of this weekend’s Anzac Day Cup against Tathra.

It will be the first year Bega has hosted the cup, with an early kick off at 12.10pm. 

“There are lots of positives to take out of this game and we are all looking forward to the season,” Dwyer said.

“It would be great to see the community get behind us.”

In round two Bermagui will play an Anzac Day clash in an away game against Narooma.   

Cameron said his team is currently implementing game plans and structures that will not start to flow until round six or eight, and although he is happy with an early win, he will wait to see where his team sits in the competition after they play competition big guns like Pambula.

“Playing on Anzac Day is going to be something completely different,” he said.

“I am hoping Narooma find the numbers to field a team because I know there is a rivalry between us.”