South Grafton are one of the new teams to the group from the Northern Rivers competition and it was always going to be an interesting afternoon as it is believed that the Northern competition is a little stronger than group 2.

Teams from both clubs were down a few players because of cricket commitments but with the first game of the season two weeks away some entertaining rugby league was played before a fairly large crowd.

In a tough encounter the Magpies Under 18s started off very well with Darcy Balenzano scoring an early try. 

However, from here on things settled down with both teams having scoring chances.  Handling let the young Magpies down and the rebels were able to score two tries and convert one to take the final score line 10-4 to them.

Having been on the end of some decent hidings last year it was pleasing to see the Magpie Reserve Grade side start their game in a confident fashion.  No doubt the addition of several players from Nambucca Heads has really strengthened this team.  One of these Larnis Leisha had a major impact on the game controlling most things that went on in the game. 

Tries to Ike Grebert, Ben Cross, Larnis Leisha and Malcolm Jarrett and two goals to Josh Shearim took the Magpies to 24.  In reply the Rebels could only score 16.

In a tough encounter the Magpie First Graders more than held their own against the Rebels, even covering for a player after he was sent from the field for Misconduct and they were not able to put on a replacement for a period of time.  Early on Luke Rose dived over from dummy half.  The try was converted by Luke Beaumont.  The Rebels hit back with two tries but missed the conversions.  Matt Bush scored another Magpie try after several breaks made by Louie Taylor who had a very impressive game at fullback for the Magpies to make the half time score 12-8 in favour of the home side.

After halftime the Rebels were able to score two more tries converting one of these to take their score to 18. The game then became a dour struggle until Larnis Leisha relishing a chance in First Grade dribbled the ball through the defence to pick it up and dive over for an exciting try.  Luke Beaumont converted from wide out to make the final score 18-18.  A fitting result.

In two weeks the Magpies take on Sawtell Panthers home in t he first game of the competition proper.  The Panthers now coached in three grades by ex-Magpie first Graders Troy Robinson, Brad Hart and Brandon Costin will certainly be stern test first up for the Magpies.