The Magpie Under 18s were never in their game as they constantly made costly errors through dropped ball and missed tackles, which had them always under pressure.  The Panthers scored two early tries, which seemed to stun the young Magpies.  They then held the Panthers for the middle part of the half, but the errors told in the latter part, with the Panthers scoring another two tries making the score at half time 18-0.

Glimpses of last years solid defence started to show itself early in the second half with Jake Mears crossing for an early try.  The successful conversion saw the Magpies trail 24-6. However the comeback was short-lived when friendly fire led to several head clashes and more blood was flowing than at the blood bank.  In the end the Magpies had no one left on the bench and the Panthers ran out winners 42-6.

In the Reserve Grade it was a similar story with the Magpies trying hard but simple errors costing them dearly.  In fact, the scores at half time could have been closer but for the errors and some good last minute defence by the Panthers.  Eli Wilson scored the Magpies only try, which was converted by Cameron Cohen making the half time score 18-6 to the Panthers.

The second half started off with the teams showing solid defence and it was not until the fifteenth minute mark that the Panthers got on top to run away with the game.  In the last minute Eli Wilson scored again to make the final score 48-10 to the Panthers.

The First Grade game was a dour affair with neither team giving an inch.  Luke Rose scored early on for the Magpies with Luke Beaumont converting to take the Magpies to 6-0. Soon after, Luke missed a penalty goal. 

Panthers coach Brandon Costin then injected himself into the game at the twentieth minute mark.  A long cut out pass to Warren Jarrett saw him score unopposed.  Sharp shooter Nathan Davies successful conversion saw the scores locked up at 6-6.

Both sides then had a couple of try scoring opportunities but were not successful.  Matt Bush was re-called for a forward pass and Dominic Prasad had a try disallowed for the Magpies. However, another long pass by Brandon Costin to Warren Jarrett saw him cross again. A successful conversion left the half time score 10-6 to the Panthers.

The early exchanges in the second half were fairly torrid with neither team able to get on top.  In the seventeenth minute Dominic scored a great individual try.  A successful conversion by Luke Beaumont saw the Magpies take the lead 12-10.  Shortly after Luke converted a penalty to make the score 14-10 to the Magpies.

Things then turned ugly for the Magpies in the last ten minutes of the game as the Panthers took control and ran in four converted tries to see them take the game 34-14.

Overall there were many positive signs for the Magpies. 

Next week they travel to Coramba to take on the Orara Valley Axemen.