Heading into the first match of the new year, only one competition point separated the first and second-placed teams.

But the Dingoes proved why many are labelling them the team to beat in the competition with a resounding 31-7 win at Rugby Park.

“We will take the win, especially after what turned out to be a scrappy first half from both sides,” Warrigals coach Rob Peters said.

“After only going into the break  up 12-7, we spoke about the importance of looking after the lead and building momentum.

“Especially as we were camped on our own line for the final minutes of that first half and  didn’t  concede any points.”

Peters credits the team’s defence as the difference, highlighted by the Dingoes not conceding any points the entire second half.

“I thought the try we let in was a little soft and something that we could have prevented,” he said.

“But we really ramped it up in the second half, which was shown by us not allowing any points in the second half.

“Credit to Cloncurry though, for their scrambling and commitment shown, as the score line could have been bigger.”

While the win is a confidence boost for his men, Peters is more pleased by the entire team effort that was on show on Saturday night.

“All 26 players did their jobs and no one in particular stood out,” he said.

“Luke Crumbling was superb on the defensive end, while Cody Saltmere and Kurt McGregor maintain their strong form with the ball in hand.

“We were able to get Cody into a fair bit of space in that second half, through the strong work of the forwards, which really opened the game up.

“Both Dylan Buckingham and new hooker Joel Carter, who scored the first try and was exceptional in the line-outs, proved to be handfuls at times too.

“The other pleasing aspect we can take from the game is the strength of our scrum, which allowed us to execute our game plan.

“There’s  plenty of good signs in the first week back but we still have plenty of little things to work on in the coming weeks.”