Ironically, TCOB still found themselves 2-0 down after the opening exchanges as the game started at a quick pace, but Burgess was not too concerned as it was apparent the side had lifted and were just unlucky.
"We missed two very good opportunities, the boys were playing out of their skins."
TCOB closed the gap to 3-2 entering the final quarter, and then earned the equaliser as the returning Kane Watkin went in for his second goal, coming from a deflection as Cameron Burgess attacked the goal mouth.
Burgess, a carpenter, was playing with pain after an accident at work removed the tips of three fingers from his top hand on the hockey stick's handle.
Callum Wilbur was also gutting out an injury while Ryan Gray pulled himself up from his sick bed to take part.
Lee Moir scored the opening goal and Burgess has grateful for the return of Craig Ritani.
"His experience was invaluable, really helped bring the unit together.
"They very much played the game plan, and that made the difference."
Bryce McKenzie was another to make his return, while the team's four Whanganui High School players all played their role.
"I can't sing the praises of Travis Bayler [enough], and Patrick Madder."
Having a 3-4 player bench meant TCOB were able to run whole shift changes - crucial with Division 1 games now being more short bursts than grinding attrition.
"It was played fast and furious. It's a new format, these [four] quarters, and it quite suits a side like ours," said Burgess.
"Although, 17 minutes is quite a long time when you're out there."
TCOB will have the bye this coming Saturday before taking on Palmerston North Boys High School.
Also off and running was the Wanganui women's team in Pool A of the new-look Manawatu Senior Women's grade, disposing of the HSHC Evergreens 3-0 in the later afternoon game.
Senior player Kylie Penn said the Evergreens would have missed their two key players attending the Trans-Tasman Masters Challenge in Whangarei more then they missed team mate Michelle Low, away at the same event.
"There was definitely some wonderful passing from the defence through to the midfield.
"It was lovely to see, [with] that passing coming out of the defence to the strikers."
Kat Benton scored from a nice touch, while new team member Ellie Heenan from Taupo grabbed a double on debut.
Regular squad members Rebecca Baker and Nicola Skedgwell had very strong games.
The Evergreens were regular opponents last year when Wanganui dominated the old Division 2 competition, right up until being upset in the final.
They will probably expect a similar outcome when they take on Massey B at Gonville this Saturday.
However, looming on the horizon is College - the 2016 Division 1 champions - and Penn had to admit the team's causal approach to regular training sessions will have to be addressed when they face higher calibre squads, especially as Wanganui is likely to move into the new Division 1 as either top qualifier or runnerup in Pool A after the first round.
"We might have to call a meeting and commit to something."
It was tough because virtually every member of the squad had family and/or business commitments, she said.
