After their promising effort in First Grade against South Grafton Rebels last week, the Bellingen Valley/ Dorrigo Magpies did not follow up this week when they travelled to Coramba on Sunday to take on the Orara Valley Axemen. Reserve Grade put up some resistance to go down in a high scoring game and the League Tag came home with a comprehensive win.
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In First Grade several players from the week before did not turn up to play for a number of reasons and the Magpies were on the back foot right from the opening whistle to be behind 20-0 at the 20-minute mark. A Larnus Leisha 40/20 kick had the Magpies on the right foot and Luke Beaumont crossed for a try. Late in the half the Magpies scored again to trail 26-8 at the break.
A Matt Field try successfully converted by Michael White was the highlight for the Magpies in the second half to see them beaten 52-14.
Playing with eleven players the Magpies were always going to find the going tough in Reserve Grade but they gave it a good shot. David Marchant scored two tries and Andrew Wetheral one try and a Josh Shearim conversion had the Magpies behind 18-14 at half time.
The Axemen then led 36-14 in the second half before tries to David Marchant and Buddy and a conversion by Josh Shearim saw the Magpies come back to 36-26. Two late tries saw the Axemen take the game 46-26.
Tries to Jorgia Jarrett-Duroux, Syietta Wilson and Jaimie Shaw all converted by Tina McRae (the last kicked with her left foot as she had injured the other) saw the Magpies League Tag team run out winners 30-10.
Next Sunday in the final competition game this season the Magpies play the Comets at Bellingen Park. The game will be a fundraiser for the Mark Hughes Foundation. Beanies will be on sale as well as other fundraisers. Come along and support a good cause.