Contesting the inaugural John Elford Shield, in front of a passionate crowd, the pre-match ladder leaders lorded it over the Hastings League new boys with a 32-22 victory.

The Magpies’ Zac McKiernan and Sam Drew both scored two tries, with Tim Forrest, Micka Webber and kicker Luke Dufty taking the tally to seven.

The Marlins played out half an hour of the second period a man down, as skipper Grant Schubert landed himself a double sin-binning, while Michael Judd turned from hero to villain in the space of three minutes  – crossing the try line, before being sent to the side line.

The Magpies were first to score through halfback Drew in the seventh minute, with co-captain/coach Dufty adding two points.

Leeton Smith levelled the try count on 12 minutes, and Joseph Quinlan brought the points score to parity.

For the next 20 minutes, bruising defensive play was the order of the day before winger Forrest restored the visitors’ lead.

Dufty made up for missing the resulting conversion attempt by crossing the line five minutes later.

Webber exploited the tiring Marlins to cross over on the stroke of half-time.

Dufty converted to bring the score to 20-6 at the interval.

Marlins coach Craig Smith told his troops at half-time to get better field positions, use the wind and remain calm against the mounting penalty count against them. 

On the resumption of play the teams came out firing, but in the 43rd minute Schubert was sin-binned for dissent.

This fired up the hosts, with Matt Scott scoring a cracker of a try.

uinlan converted to reduce the deficit to eight points.

Drew extended the Magpies’ lead again on 52 minutes with his second try of the match.

Ten minutes later, hooker McKiernan scored a contentious try and when Schubert challenged the decision he found himself back in the referee’s bad books for his second sin-binning.

Resolute defence from the Marlins’ forwards and some bone-rattling tackles eventually saw Judd claw back another four points, before he swapped places with his captain on the bench, for the same offence.

McKiernan grabbed his second try to double the Magpies’ lead at 32-16, but the hosts weren’t finished as Paul Owens scored in the 78th minute and Quinlan converted to leave the final score 32-22.

John Elford presented the shield named in his own honour to Dufty

Prior to the match, the former Kangaroo was joined by fellow rugby league stars Noel Kelly, Harry Wells and John Baker for a lap of honour.

The large crowd joined players and officials for a minute’s silence to the late Tom Lockwood and Graham Murray.

Magpies official Sonya Murphy said the Marlins had put on a good day, made extra-special by the guests..

“We expected a tough game again obviously, after the last encounter,” she said.

“I believe one of the team’s best attributes is  experience. 

“Our players have been in those situations before and have the skills to step up and win big games.”

The Magpies believe the SWR Marlin will be semi-final contenders.

For the Lower Macleay men, Coby Meehan got three points and the players’ player award

Forward Cory Griggs got two points and  Owens got one.

Owens was also the players’ player

The teams will play the final round of  Hastings League on Saturday, with the Magpies travelling south to take on the Kendall Blues and the Marlins also heading down the highway to take on Lake Cathie Raiders.

The Lower Macleay side slipped a place on the ladder, despite the win.

Comboyne regained the top spot on points differential, following an 88-16 thrashing of Lake Cathie.

With a home tie against the wooden spoon side –  Port Macquarie Hy-Tech Sharks – to come, the Tigers are almost certain  to claim this year’s  minor premiership.