The Raiders began the match strongly going close early and when John Grey busted the Cowboys open and five eighth Mason Williams dashed over to score the match looked ominous.

Wellington and Macquarie both had their chances but ball control was poor in the first official trial of the year.

However soon the Cowboys shored up the score with Norm West scoring off a cross kick. At 10 minutes the game was evenly poised.

Craig McLean juggled the ball after a kick and dived over to give the Dubbo side the advantage but just before half time a move to left a gave a running Aiden Ryan space to level the scores and the teams went into the break in warm conditions 10 apiece.

Macquarie came out after the spell running, with centre Ash Withers sizzling over outwide and replacement Matty Lane surged through Wellington forwards, while Williams and Grey were at it again after Chris Daley shot through. Grey eventually got over .

At 26-10 Wellington were determined to get their hands on a football which was elusive and, when they did, full back Norm West grabbed his second. However Macquarie hit back soon after with Anthony Smith getting through the Wellington wall.

Five eighth Keiran Brien got on the board for Wellington and then captain Justin Toomey-White went on one of his big runs brushing off jumpers to race over and on the other side of the field half back Richard Peckham scored a spectacular try after a Cowboys burst down the flanks which got the score to 32-30.

With a few minutes left Macquarie captain coach John Grey inspired strong road work up the middle to end Wellington's chances.

In the end a 38-30 win to the home side with Wellington left to remember its mistakes.