The Redbacks missed out this time losing out 40- 24.

Redback coach Wayne Kennedy said the game played in Goodooga saw the Ridge score around six tries, with Goodooga making about 10.

He said the Redbacks just made silly mistakes on the day, but all the players had a good run.

"The team was playing alright, but many of our players are still recovering from injuries sustained during previous games."

Kennedy said they also had no reserves during the match, with 13 on the field.

"The players had no breaks, so it was a bit tough on the guys," he said.

Kennedy said so far the Redbacks had played four trial games prior to their gala day, to be held in Brewarrina on Sunday.

But despite the loss on Saturday, Kennedy said he believed the team would be somewhere up the top of the ranks in the competition.

"Bourke will be a challenge though, they're a side that we need to beat."

He said while the Redbacks won the Barwon Darling Rugby League competition fairly easilylast year, he expects it would be more of an even contest this year.

"All the teams seem to be more balanced this time around."

Kennedy said half of the team's players this season were new faces, and it had taken a while for the team to come together as one.

"They've improved a lot with training, but the players still need to be taught game tactics and strategies.

"Because at the moment we're just covering the basics," he said.

Kennedy said he believed Goodooga won on Saturday because they played well as a team.

"We were off to a slow start, and just couldn't catch up later on," he said.

However, Kennedy said the junior under 16 team did prove to be successful beating their opponents Goodooga convincingly 54-6.