A lackluster defensive performance was Cowra's downfall as the hosts built on a 24-6 half-time lead to win by 30 points.

"There were patches where we nearly came back, but our defence let us down today," he said before crediting Mudgee's game.

"Mudgee is a very, very strong team, one of the strongest in the competition," he said.

In contrast to their recent matches, the Dragons took the lead from the outset.

Tries by Zac Adams, Jack Afamasaga, Tom Lewsley, John Madden, and Hamish Bryant took the Dragons to a 24-6 lead by half time.

The sole bright spot for Cowra was a try by Ryan Downing, converted by Cameron Bruest.

The home team extended their lead to 30-6 within minutes of the second half, with a Jack Afamasaga try converted by Rota Setu.

However, Cowra fought back and put Zac Browne across the line, before Cameron Bruest kicked his second goal of the match.

Mudgee pulled away again with a try by Ben Thompson, but Cowra continued to fight hard and a try to Ronald Lawrence took the score to 36-18.

With only seven minutes left in the game Jack Afamasaga scored his third try, again converted by Rota Setu leaving Cowra trailing 42-18.

Nathan Orr sprinted away for the Dragons' final try of the day only four minutes from the final whistle, with Rota Setu kicking his sixth conversion.

After the game, Afamasaga said the Dragons fielded a stronger team than last week's match against Lithgow.

"There are still a couple of boys out and when they get back, we will be good to get some combinations together in the second half of the season.

Afamasaga said the whole team had played strongly from the start of the match.

"We are usually playing catch-up from the kick off, so it was good to lead from the start and finish strong," he said.

Mudgee Dragons 48 (tries Jack Afamasaga 3, Tom Lewlsey, Nathan Orr, John Madden, Ben Thompson, Zac Adams, Hamish Bryant; goals Rota Setu 6) defeated Cowra Magpies 18 (Zac Browne, Ronald Lawrence, Ryan Downing, goals Caley Mok and Cameron Bruest 2).