In sweltering conditions over three periods of play, the Roosters clinched the result 20-8 after working through gaps in the Canberra defence. 

"We got what we wanted out of the hitout," Bega first grade coach Scott Barton said. "There were some errors from both sides, but I think we put on some really good tries from well-shaped footy."

Against a towering and strong Canberra forward pack, most of the tries came around the flanks, but Barton said it was good work in the middle that gave the quicks space. 

"Guys like Todd [Ingram], Ryany [Apps], but also Tom McMillan was great and Justin Towney worked really hard up the middle," Barton said. 

"Dan Highland as well, it was hard to fault those guys - there were some good signs from [the forwards] and feedback from the crowd was promising."

The Roosters rotated positions across the three periods of play and were able to find the try line with some good sweeping plays and clever outside-inside movements with the ball. 

Joel Tamatea had a cracking start, before coming off injured, but Barton said Scott Galeano and Jessie Buchan also had pivotal performances. 

"All-in-all we were really happy," Barton said. 

The Bega Chicks league-tag side also had a 40-minute hitout against the Bears, but came off second best in a close game. 

The Chicks had scored the early four pointer with the home side able to open up gaps on the back of some clever offloads and dummy sprints. 

Unfortunately, the Bears were able to start telegraphing Bega's moves and countered with their own line breaks to take a 10-6 advantage in the first half. 

Barton said the women's side were strong in their own right and praised the efforts of Ray Ringland and Joccoaa Rogers in their coaching capacity. 

"They're doing really well, what Joc and Ray are accomplishing, the team looks in for a really good year," he said. 

The season start is now just four weeks away, but Barton said the Roosters were solely focused on themselves and not pondering what other clubs are up to in the restored 10-team top grade. 

"The truth is I am just trying to focus on us, we want to put the effort there and get everything right," Barton said. 

"It's great for the comp having this many teams involved, but you can't worry about them or you'll fall behind."

He said the club would be priding itself on playing for the town and club sponsors and encouraged everyone to get behind the Roosters.  

Anyone looking to get a run is still welcome to join in at training. "Don't be shy, come down, you'll be impressed," he said.