The Cowra Magpies have soundly defeated the Cargo Blue Heelers in a 38-18 win at Sid Kallas Oval on Sunday.

The Cowra Guardian caught up with Phil Ingram, the Magpies Coach to discuss the game. The Magpies have performed consistently well this season, managing injuries and displaying an early-game tenacity that has carried them through. Mr Ingram says that although the team won't complain about victories, he's not getting complacent anytime soon, however that same early tenacity may be costing the Magpies in the latter half of their games.

"There were lapses and some bad habits creeping back into our game that made things a lot closer than what they should have been. We had that first try when Nico scored, and then we scored again, and the boys kind of were thinking it was going to be easy day; and then we started to go away from what was working for us." Mr Ingram said.

"I was telling the boys that we need to go through the front door instead of trying to go around around them. And that's what we'll that's what we're doing. We went through the front door on the first two occasions, like we went up the middle and had some good, straight runs creating a space out wide for our backs. But then we tried to go wide too early and not not getting to our kick and that and that invited cargo back into the game." Mr Ingram said.

Cargo exploited the downturn in pace and gained confidence, with the Magpies recognising the momentum had shifted sides. Cowra adapted quickly however.

"And then then the last five minutes of the first half, we had some more time with the ball, laid the platform up, and then we were able to shift it out wide - and Desmond Doolan was able to score in the corner for us, and we went in at 12-18, at half time." said Mr Ingram. The team improved in the second half, with key players like Sam Ingram and Jayden Williams performing well.

"Once we started to control the ball and get to our kicks, and like I said, go for the front door, lay that platform, it really started open up for us, and we were able to string a few tries together and then defend our way home." said Mr Ingram, "That's been that's been a positive takeaway for us, that when we when we do find ourselves in a bit of a hole we work hard for each other to defend it and stop them." siad Mr Ingram, laughing as he said "But we were the ones that put ourselves in the hole, so we have to stop that."

Regardless of the constructive self reflection, The Magpies drove the victory home when required.

Injury updates included Alex's ankle injury and Mitchell Hatch's potential season-ending injury. Several players were selected for the Woodbridge Cup rep teams, with coach Ingram wishing them the best.

"Everyone who just got picked in the Woodbridge cup rep teams for us, wanted to wish them luck. There's three first graders, Luke Kinsey, Jayden Williams and our captain, Jake Slattery. In the girls, Emilie Browne and Danielle Spence. Then there's also under 20 league tag girls team: Haylie Ingram, Maddie, Maddie O'Reilly, and Maddie Negus and and also in the juniors, in the under 18 team, there's no Knight Aaron all and Jaylin Walford. So just want to wish all them luck and hope they come back to us unscathed."

The men's first grade team will be on a bye this coming weekend, before facing Condobolin Rams on June 1st.