In a similar story to previous weeks, the Magpies led in all three games only to see the opposition  get on top and take the competition points. One positive thing to come out of the day was the many comments from the regulars about the level of support by the fans in all three matches.

In first grade the first 20 minutes featured solid defence by both teams until a top cut-out pass by Luke Beaumont put winger Adam Garson into the clear for a clever try. Late in the half Nambucca hit back with two quick tries to go to oranges with a 10-4 lead.

The Magpies came out firing after the break and were over for a try early to take the score to 10-8 and things looked good for a long time after. But as in previous games the Magpies are able to spend long periods in the opposition 20m zone but are unable to turn this pressure into points.

Nambucca scored at the 20-minute mark to break the spirit of the Magpies and were able to run in several more tries to take the game 34-8.

In one of the closest reserve grade games witnessed for a long time the Magpies put it to the Roosters but with a few mistakes at crucial times they threw the game away. Nambucca scored the first two tries to lead 12-0 but late in the half, captain-coach Stephen Ferguson sliced through the Roosters defence to score a good try. Elijah Wilson converted and the half-time score was 12-6 in favour of the Roosters.

After the break Stephen was over for his second try in similar fashion with Elijah converting to even the scores. But the Magpies could not convert pressure into points and the Roosters were able to score two converted tries late in the game to win 24-12.

The U18s game saw the Magpies play their best half of football this season against one of the better teams in the competition to show that they are definitely improving. The tackling effort of some of the players was impressive with Jonas Hedges creating havoc with some of his tackles.  However midway through the half the Roosters were able to score several quick tries to lead 18-0.  Late in the half Lee Tuhi scored for the Magpies to make the score 18-4 at the break.

Tom Pennel scored early in the second half and with a Jack Mitchell conversion, the Magpies trailed 18-10. Nambucca scored a couple of tries again midway through the half before Ned Oxland scored for the Magpies for Jack Mitchell to convert, 30-16.

The final score being 36-16 to the Roosters. With only five players in this team having played league before this season it is a credit to them and their coach for the improvement they are producing each week.

This week it’s another road trip to Grafton to take on the Ghosts.