Ott said his young Pickers outfit was outclassed and simply didn’t have any ball in a disappointing 34-6 first-half smashing.

“In the first half we only had 11 sets and completed just five,” he said.

“We tried hard to defend, but you are always going to struggle with that amount of possession against you.”

The Pickers were under-manned missing four key players – Geordie Connelly, Billy Towers, PJ Ellis and Steve Steve Waetford – and struggled against the Lions initial onslaught.

“To the boys credit they regrouped at the break and put in a much better effort,” he said. “We actually managed to outscore them in the second half, but we had given up too much of a lead.”

Ott said six players had their first trial run and it showed towards the end as they were all blowing heavily.

“We’ll be better for the run and again we are getting first grade time into a variety of players,” he said.

“But to be honest, we do need a better run with injuries than we had last year.

“Every club is going to struggle if you lose four or five first grade regulars and top first graders at that.

“We were able to blood a lot of youngsters as a result and will are seeing the benefits of that.”

Ott said he was impressed with Toby Evans in the halves and Liam Faughlin from the NSW Cup who was playing his first game in Pickers colours.

Hooker Kurt Aldridge followed up his best-on-ground performance in the trial against The Entrance Tigers with another strong showing.

Front-rower Willie Poleo again made plenty of yards and muscled up in defence.

Ott said the next generation of Pickers again impressed with Jack Pursehouse making his debut on the wing.

Lachie Preston on the other wing got a double, after scoring in his first grade debut last Saturday.

“I was really pleased with those two young blokes and it’s good to give them a run,” he said.

“The reserve grade had a terrific result with by 50 points, so we do have some really good younger players coming up and putting pressure on for the spots.

“But you have to give them some time and let them develop.

“I was really happy with Luke Mercer who played really well in reserves in the No.6.”

The Pickers under 19s play a trial game against the Newcastle Rebels under-18 team, which include Pickers juniors Jesse Horn at fullback and Daniel Ott at halfback,  on Tuesday at Maitland Sportsground from 6pm.

Meanwhile, Pickers juniors Brock Lamb and Matt Soper-Lawler made great starts as the Knights NYC Cup team stole an early lead before fading 46-28 to the Raiders. Soper-Lawler scored two tries and Lamb one as well as converting four of five shots on goal.