After claiming the league tag title a few months ago, the Thoroughbreds began their inaugural Hunter Valley Group 21 Women’s Nines campaign with an extraordinary 22-12 triumph over the defending champions, Muswellbrook Ramettes.

The new-look Scone outfit could not have asked for a better start.

Samantha Elphick posted the club’s first try within minutes.

However, the Ramettes struck back, via Shae Pemberton, to level it up at 4-all.

Katherine Nicholson then sliced through to put the Thoroughbreds ahead again, which when converted by Grace Gallen extended the margin to 10-4.

Pemberton’s second saw Muswellbrook trail 10-8 at the interval.

Scone struck early after the break, with Elphick claiming another two for her hat-trick – and an 18-8 lead.

The Ramettes lifted their intensity and fought their way back into the encounter, at 18-12, when Kaylah Meakin touched down with plenty of time remaining on the clock.

But, the Thoroughbreds weren’t finished by any means.

Keen to make an impression, Scone put the icing on the cake, courtesy of Gallen.