The Marist Brothers Rams opened the 2023 season with victory over the Kyogle Turkeys at Oakes Oval on Sunday.

Co-Captain Mitchell Krause scored two tries in the hard fought six tries to five victory over an improving Turkeys outfit.

Kyogle suffered several big defeats in 2022 and have rebuilt well under ex-Rams coach Michael Woods and pushed the Rams right to the final whistle.

The Rams eventually ran out 34-26 victors in a strong start to the season and a nice start to the coaching partnership for Matt Barber and Mick Davis.

New recruit and Brothers junior David Mead started in the centres and for a boost for the club, try scoring machine, backorder Josh Patton also returned after spending 2022 in the Queensland Cup with Tweed Heads Seagulls.

Reserve Grade also got off to a good start with a 40-0 victory which included four tries to Campbell Harvey and a perfect goalkicking display from Mitch Slaven, slotting 6 from 6.

Ladies League Tag completed the clean sweep for Brothers with a 42-0 win.

Co-Captain Shataya King dominated, with a personal tally of 18 after scoring two tries and kicking five conversions in the big win.

Next week the Rams travel to Casino to take on the Cougars at Queen Elizabeth Park.