The Bellingen Magpies took on last year’s rugby league premiers, the Grafton Ghosts, in Group 2 rugby league at the Graveyard on Sunday.
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While Bellingen’s home ground is fast losing its fear factor to opposing teams, there was certainly much more Magpie spirit on show than on some previous occasions, especially in the first half of both games.
In first grade, an early try to the Ghosts was met with a dispute between the two teams and led to a stint in the sin bin for a player from each.
From there, the Magpies upped the ante in attack, but could not break the resolute defence and the Ghosts held on and scored another try.
Not to be denied, Blake O’Connor fired back and went over for the Magpies after again pressuring the Ghosts line. However, it was a short lived joy for the locals as a mistake from the restart led to another Ghosts try.
The scoreline, 18-4 would have been a true indication of the first half, but a scrum win after the halftime bell led to a clever kick across field for the winger and another Ghosts try.
Half time: 22-4.
In the second half, the Ghosts ran away with the game 68-4.
The U18s game was an entertaining affair with each team fairly matched. Jarryd Edwards was over early for the Magpies as he sliced through the Ghosts defence. The Ghosts soon hit back with two converted tries to lead 10-4. The home team’s Darcy Warwick then went over for a well-deserved try for the Magpies and a successful conversion by Jack Mitchell locked the scores up at 10-10. Manasa Nayacakalou scored an 80m run away try to have the Magpies up 16-10, however, Grafton returned fire to score, to make it 16-14 at the break.
Two tries to Grafton and some solid defence left the Magpies scoreless in the second half left. Full time: 24-16.
As an aside, local Julian Hulbert, having his inaugural first grade game as referee, acquitted himself well and his performance should be a stepping-stone to further such appointments.
* This week the Magpies take on Coffs Harbour Comets at Bellingen Park with U18s starting at 1pm.