In their first round match up the Magpies defeated the Long Flat side 58-16 and had aimed to keep up their form from the previous weeks.

The recent wet weather was the cause for lack of training and game time, their preparation into the match was not what they had hoped for.

The Dragon’s are a quality side and the Magpies had to be at their best in order to keep them at bay.

Unfortunately that wasn’t the case, from the kick off the Magpies dropped the ball, which resulted in a try for the Long Flat side early on.

The Dragon’s didn’t take long to take control capitalising on Magpie mistakes and taking advantage of the lack of match fitness and the fact that the Lower Macleay side had four key players unavailable on the day.

It didn’t take the 2008 grand finalist long to take their lead out to 26-0 for a half time score line.

The Magpies had a lot of frustration that they needed to keep under control if they wanted to get back into the game in the second half.

The half time break didn’t keep the Dragon’s from continuing their assault on the Magpies scoring again five minutes into the second half.

The Lower Macleay side showed some improvement and a try was awarded to stand out player of the day, winger Corey Grigg.

With a conversion by Luke Dufty the Magpies points finished there on 6 for the day.

It was a disappointing day for the boys with the Dragon’s finishing on 56 when the final bell rang.

The boys tried their best and it just wasn’t enough this time. Big games by Mick Webber, Grigg, Clint McMurray and Mick Hughes helped the Magpies keep their heads up.

The lack of fitness and ball training played a big part and the ground at Long Flat is tough.

It’s a big ask to win there with the Dragon’s undefeated on their home soil for the past five years.

Credit has to go to the Magpies for not giving up and taking the defeat on the chin.

It only makes them hungry to get back into training and improve for next week’s game against Lake Cathie down there.