Unfortunately for the Magpies the Axemen were able to sing their victory song for the first time in a couple of seasons.

In First Grade the Magpies were first to score inside the first three minutes through exciting fullback Ben Vunivalu. Luke Beaumont converted to put the Magpies into lead 6-0. This was short lived, as the Axemen were able to equalize with a good try.

The game then seesawed from end to end with solid defence keeping both attacks at bay. Mala Tuiloa crossed for the Magpies in the thirty third minute with another conversion taking the Magpies to the lead once again 12-6. Once again the Axemen equalized almost immediately at half time the scores were locked up at 12-12.

Early in the second half the Magpies were camped inside the Orara twenty metres but could not crack the defence being held up a couple of times and dropping a chip kick over the try line. This allowed the Axemen to take full advantage of the resulting seven tackles and a penalty to score wide out.  With a top conversion the Axmen hit the front for the first time18-12. Shortly after they went further ahead and the game looked gone for the Magpies at 22-12. However the Magpies hit back through an Aidan Banks try. Luke Beaumont converted from wide out and the Magpies went to within four points again at 22-18.

Solid defence then kept the Magpies out and the Axemen wrapped up the game at 28-18 late in the game.

Ill discipline let Magpies’ reserve grade down and they were always up against it with a 7-1 penalty count in the first half. Despite this, Nathan Stapleton scored a good try for the Magpies and they showed solid defence to be only down 16-4 at the half-time break. Despite the best of efforts the Axemen were able to run away with the game 32-4.

Magpies play Sawtell at Sawtell on Friday night starting at 6pm.

Stephen Glyde