Lucas Stewart impressed, with a hat-trick of tries as the hosts demonstrated their potential for the 2014 season at the Ian Walton playing fields last Saturday.

Coach Jared Fuller was delighted overall to have given the New England side such a good working over.

 “We’ve worked a lot on fitness, but haven’t had a lot of time to work on structure, until last Thursday,” he said.

“The first 25 minutes were near-perfect.

“Our forwards kept it moving, with the backs finishing it off.

“If we could bottle that we would look pretty good for the season ahead.

“I wasn’t happy with leaking the 25 points, though.

“Barbarians were missing a few first grade players, but we were too.

“Our captain Brayden Farrawell had the week off with a chest infection; Shahid Khalfan was away and will have to vie for a spot and Billy Yabsley was unavailable, and will push for a first grade spot.”

Fuller said his players’ superior fitness had been evident, particularly in the last 20 minutes.

Open side flanker Sam Williams earned three points for his performance, with number eight Bryce Widdison taking two points, and Fijian Viliame Tobesewa and prop Blake Giddy both awarded one point.

“Viliame was a handful every time he ran, they struggled to contain him,” Fuller said.

“Blake hadn’t been available because of his cricket, but he put his best foot forward.”

Saturday’s match had given the Cannonballs the opportunity to highlight a few areas that needed ironing out in the remaining training sessions, the coach said.

The squad has no further matches between now and the season-opener at Coffs Harbour, on May 3.