After a 14 month losing streak, the Magpies first grade have scored a victory over the Orara Valley Axeman, when they travelled to Coramba over the Easter long weekend.
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In a tough game, and with the absence of regulars Corey Sinclair and Matt Bush, the Magpies showed grit and determination to overcome the voodoo and set the bar high for the 2014 Rugby league season.
In the first minute, Domini Prasad sliced through the defence inside the Magpies own half to put five eight Luke Beaumont away to score what seemed a legitimate try under the posts. However, the referee ruled held up.
The Axemen went on attack but solid defence by the Magpies held them out.
At the 13th minute mark Luke Beaumont scored a good try which he converted 6-0 to the Magpies. Replacement Nathan Cooper then made a good run through the Axemen forwards to slip a nice pass to Jason Spillett who raced away to score and Luke converted to take the Magpies to a 12-0 lead.
At the 30th minute mark, Luke Beaumont then put Richie Nui in for a try that he converted and the Magpies seemed well in control at 18-0.
Throughout, the Axemen never gave up and scored on the half-time bell to make the score 18-6 to the Magpies.
Early tries to Blake O’Connor and Luke Beaumont with Luke converting his in the second half had the Magpies in total control at 28-6 and any scored seemed on the cards.
However, the standard of the game deteriorated somewhat and this marred the final score remaining at 28-6 to the Magpies.
Unfortunately, the good news stooped here for Magpie supporters, as reserve grade went down to the Axeman 28-14.
The game was a scrappy affair with the Magpies always looking as though they could win but making costly mistakes when in a strong attacking position. Elijah Wilson opened the scoring for the Magpies half way through the first half but that was it as the Axemen scored twenty unanswered points to make the half time score 20-4 in favour of the Axemen.
Orara scored again early in the second half before Steven Anderson scored for the Magpies. Late in the half, Orara scored again and then Cameron Cohen crossed for a good try and conversion fight on the bell for the Magpies.
This Sunday the Magpies take on the Macksville Sea Eagles at the Graveyard. Should be three entertaining games.
