On a cold, windy afternoon at Barraba, the Tamworth Magpies scored their first win of the season, with the Reserve Grade side running out winners 31-14 after being behind 7-3 at half-time. Scott de Weyman, in one of his last games before returning to England after his gap year, scored a total of 21 points for the Magpies. But it was a good effort by all the Reggies in their break-through win.

The First Grade team again finished strongly after being behind all game, but just failed to run down the keen Barraba opposition. Liam Richards scored two tries in the final 10 minutes from fullback in an outstanding display, but it was too little too late. The inexperienced Magpie Firsts are learning the hard way that First Grade wins are built on defence, but each week they edge a bit closer to that first win!

The Tamworth Magpies took all four teams up to Inverell on Saturday, but did not come away with a victory. However, there were promising showings at different stages in all grades, with First Grade being in a position to win until right on the final bell.

It was obvious that the First Grade team had learned some lessons from the Moree game, with their defensive structures much improved, and their speed to and aggression at the breakdowns outstanding for most of the game. A very impressive performance, showing that their first win is not far away...

Reserve Grade were in a good position to win their game with a solid 17-12 lead at half-time, but 3 quick tries to Inverell after the break put paid to those plans! The biggest feature of this game was the dominance of the Magpie scrum which lead to each of their 4 tries, two being pushovers from tight heads!

The Under 18s and Under 16s, with their lack of regular games, are finding it hard to develop any rhythm in their play, but if they keep working hard at training with their experienced coaches this will come.

The Tamworth Magpies took on undefeated Moree in First Grade, Reserve Grade and Under 18s, with all teams giving a good account of themselves, although the scores were heavily in the Bulls' favour. Despite the scores, all games were hard fought till the end. This spirit will ensure improvement in all teams as the season progresses. There was a good crowd of supporters present at Tamworth Rugby Park, and they appreciated the efforts put in by each grade against the superior opposition on the day...

The Tamworth Firsts and Reserves travelled up to Walcha on Saturday, and received an enthusiastic reception - so enthusiastic, in fact, that the Walcha Rugby Rams won both matches comfortably against Magpie sides that did not produce their best performances. Whether it was the first away games of the season, or the fact that 5 regular first graders and several Reggies were missing, or whether Walcha (last year's grand finalists) were just too good, the Magpies' teams struggled to find form. But, when a Club is team building, that is to be expected, so the teams must just put those results behind them, re-focus, and aim up against Moree at home next week... 

Quirindi were only able to bring one team to Tamworth's Rugby Park on Saturday, but the team they brought was full of enthusiasm (and talent) and just pipped the Magpies' Firsts 22-20 after an exciting game. The score see-sawed throughout, with Tamworth leading for most of the first half, and Quirindi for most of the second. Both sides threw the ball wide at every opportunity, and the large crowd of spectators enjoyed the spectacle of running rugby.

The Magpies' Reggies had a pick-up match among themselves before First Grade when Quirindi were not interested in having their 1/2 dozen reserves join in. It was an entertaining match and an excellent training run for all involved. Good on them. Let's see them all at Walcha next week!