The Reserves again were a patched up side due to injuries and players unavailable through work and other commitments but it was pleasing to see under 16s player Tom Rouget playing in his first match with older brother Daniel, proud father Simon even having a rush of blood to the head in the rooms before the game asking if he could play. The Rebels also welcomed new player Scott Isaacs for his first game at the Club and we welcomed another former junior James Fulton who has returned to live in the town. In a similar start to last week, the home side converted its opportunities in front of goal and kicked four unanswered goals in the first quarter. The Rebels lifted the work rate in the second quarter and scored their first goal with a snap around the corner by James Fulton whilst keeping the Magpies to two goals for the quarter. The third quarter was another arm wrestle with the Rebels adding another goal from a set shot by Matt Herridge and restricting the Magpies to another two goals. By the last change David Bourke had gone to hospital for stitches to an injury on his face and several other players were injured, the Magpies taking advantage in the last quarter adding five unanswered goals to run out winners 13.15 – 93 to 2.2 – 14.
The Seniors made one change to the team beaten last week by Seville with Zach Heaslip coming into the side to replace Tom Halligan. Also in a repeat of last week the Magpies got on the scoreboard early but the Rebels settled in the second half of the quarter to trail five goals to two at the first break. A determined effort and lift in intensity saw the Rebels add six goals to four in the second quarter to give the Magpies something to think about at half time as the Rebels needed to reorganize as both Jack Elkington and Ben Woollard were finished for the day leaving only one player available for rotations. The Magpies edged ahead in the third quarter kicking four goals to three to take a 14 point lead in to the last quarter. The last quarter was a great display of football by both teams as the Magpies added a couple of goals and the Rebels responded with a couple of goals to narrow the margin before the Rebels momentum saw another couple of goals and take the lead by nine points but the Magpies replied with another goal. The Rebels chased, tackled and moved the ball efficiently as the play rebounded between the backlines before the experienced Magpies settled and scored to regain the lead and take out the game at the final siren, 19.13 – 127 to 17.10 – 112.
Last Modified on 26/06/2017 19:59