Having endured a tough 2016 and then battling through two losses to open the 2017 Group 10 season, Brien’s men fired during its round three trip to King George Oval.

While only at the completion of three rounds of this winter, Cowra now sits sixth on the ladder in a competition race blown wide open thanks to the injury crisis in Mudgee and Bathurst St Pat’s surprisingly winless start to 2017.

Brien believes the Magpies’ 38-point victory could be the catalyst for a run up the ladder, with games against Orange CYMS, Lithgow and Bathurst clubs St Pat’s and Panthers over the course of the next month.

All four games are at home, too.

“Honestly it’s lifted (our confidence) through the roof. It was a different place to be in, there was plenty of talk, all the boys were having a laugh,” Brien said following his side’s win at Blayney.

“I honestly think it’ll kick start our season, a win like that.”

With the scores locked at 4-all a quarter of the way through the match, Cowra lifted its intensity over the course of the final hour of the match.

Cameron Breust was wonderful for the visitors, scoring the game’s final try to go along with a handful of goals, accumulating 14 points in the eight-tries-to-one win.

Brien said the opening 15 minutes looked a lot like this side’s efforts against Mudgee (14-10 loss) and Oberon (30-20 loss), but a turn around in form swung momentum the Maggies’ way.

“I don’t think we completed any of our first three sets and when we earned a penalty we didn’t find touch,” he said.

“But we clicked after that, which was pleasing to see.”

More so than scoring 42 points, Brien was enthused by his side conceding just the one try.

“Oberon putting 30 on us the week before hurt. I think if we’re to compete in games then restricting teams to between four and 10 points will definitely help,” he said.

“I set the boys that goal, we worked on it during the week at training, and it’s good to see it achieved.

“I played a bit of NSW Cup, and last year’s Group 10 was a touch below that level. It was tough.

“But I think this year we can make an impact.”

Cowra takes on CYMS at Sid Kallas Oval on Sunday in all four grades.