A field goal for Jesse Corcoran in the dying seconds has just been enough for Young to start the West Wyalong Knockout on Friday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Cherrypickers looked the better of the two sides for most of the game but have to overcome a late comeback from the Group 10 side to ensure new coach Roy Jewitt got off to a winning start.
Despite admitting they let the Dragons back into the contest, Jewitt was pleased with his side's first hit out of the season.
"I thought it was good and I thought we played really well," Jewitt said.
"You don't know what to expect in the first hit out, we've trained well, but when it comes to a game out you just don't know.
"But I thought we came together well, were played nice and tough and played some good footy.
"Obviously there is some improvement but there is also a lot of time."
Young centre Kye Tiedemann opened the scoring when he muscled his way over eight minutes into the clash.
However the Cherrypickers couldn't add to their lead before the break and it was Mudgee who scored next.
They converted on a mistake in good field position with Sebastian Flack's try leveling things with nine to play.
Young hit right back after a Dragons just after the restart of play when Jayke Hogan score.
However some brilliance from new Mudgee coach Jack Littlejohn leveled things again.
The former NRL player smothered a Casey Wall attempted clearing kick before regathering the ball and going 40 to score with two minutes to play.
Young then forced an error and worked their way down the field to hand the young playmaker his chance to win it.
The Cherrypickers would have progressed on the first try rule regardless, but Corcoran's late point provided a boost heading into a quarter-final clash with Griffith Black and Whites.
"It is always nice to get a win," Jewitt said.
"It was a good way to finish with a field goal in the final seconds."
The Cherrypickers play in the third quarter-final at 5.50pm.
Southcity is in the first at 4.30pm up against Darlington Point Coleambally.
Brothers then take on Mudgee while Goulburn plays Temora in the final quarter-final at 6.30pm.
