RUGBY LEAGUE
Magpies made it three from three with a 12-32 win over Macquarie at Dubbo in Round 3 of the Peter McDonald Premiership on Sunday.
Enjoying the run, captain Nick Greenhalgh really couldn’t be happier with the way this year’s first grade squad, a new look side with of local, new and returning players, is coming together.
Solid defence and the ability to score points from anywhere on the field were key to the win, he said of Sunday’s game.
“We turned over a fair bit of ball again which is not a worrying sign but it’s sort of three weeks on the trot now and we need to get a lot better,” he said.
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But his side’s continued defensive efforts saw Macquarie turned away from the try-line and he was happy with the side’s efforts.
Jack Smith had another sensational game running in two tries against Macquarie, with tries to Coopa Martin, Farren Lamb, Chad Porter and Ben Maguire.
Jonah Little came off the bench to make his first grade debut.
“He’s been really good in reggies and had a good preseason,” Greenhalgh said.
And there might be further good news with Charlie Lennon having a run with the Magpies in reserve grade on the weekend too.
“He’s looking fit and firing,” Greenhalgh said. “It’s good to have him around the club.”
Disappointingly, the side might be without Jake Porter for a couple of weeks. He left the field with a knee injury on Sunday and was waiting on a scan and physio consultation.
But they do expect the return of Harry Leadbitter, who didn’t play the Macquarie match.
Magpies have another tough road trip this weekend, as they head to Wellington to take on the Cowboys on their home ground.
Wellington opened their season with two wins but went down to Dubbo CYMS on their home ground on Sunday, no doubt they’ll be looking to make good on that this coming Sunday.
“We’re expecting a tough one: they’re always tough over there and they seem to lift against us,” Greenhalgh said.
Sunday’s play kicks off at 11.30am at Wellington with the Under 18s in the Tom Nelson Premiership.
Forbes league tag has a bye.
