In first grade, the match was a close one. Low completion rates from both teams early on meant that tries were hard to come by. The Magpies goal line defence was a feature of their performance, however Sawtell did manage to break the line to score and convert to take a 6-0 lead.

The Magpies responded with a try to Centre Zac Johnson, converted by Daniel Taylor. Not long after the Johnson try, Stuart Kelly made a break down the sideline and set up Larnus Leisha to score under the posts and give Bellingen/Dorrigo a 12-6 lead with five minutes remaining before halftime.

Sawtell had back to back sets on the Magpies line and managed to cross over for a try just on halftime to lock the game up at 12-12. The talk at half time was positive and despite the heat, the Magpies had only used one out of eight interchange's in the first half.

Four minutes into the second half and halfback Larnus Leisha kicked a 40/20 and Matt Field scored on the back of a great set piece. Sawtell's forward pack lifted their intensity and created more and more opportunities for their creative halves, to run in three unanswered tries to close the game out 24-18. The Magpies were gallant in defeat and will be better for the run.

In reserve grade, the Magpies were up against a strong Sawtell team boasting years of finals experience. From the kick off, the Magpies tried hard to contain the Sawtell forwards, who were powerful and skillful. The Magpies conceded 5 tries in the first half and barely had an opportunity with the ball. In the end, the Sawtell side won comfortably 48-0. The positives to take out the match was the strong effort by the younger members of the squad including Mckye Tucknott, Jack Farrell and Michael White, who never gave up.

The Ladies League Tag were coming up against last year's grand finalists, but were boosted with the late inclusion of Tina McRae, fresh from her North Coast Bulldogs match on the Saturday.

The Magpies went try for try with Sawtell and were in the contest until the final moments. The Magpies have made some positional changes which will take time to gel. The Magpies eventually went down 20-10 with 2 tries to Tina McRae and a conversion to Shelby Osland.

This weekend the Magpies host the Grafton Ghosts at the Graveyard. The first match will kick off at noon, followed by reserve grade at 1.15pm and first grade at 2.30pm. Social memberships are still available and we hope to see a big crowd turn up to our first home game for season 2019.