The Lower Macleay Magpies had their most convincing win of the season on Saturday, defeating the Beechwood Shamrocks 46-22 on the back of a second half onslaught.
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Co-coach McKiernan credits the side’s willingness to play for one another for the victory.
“There is a different feeling around the club, everyone is there for one another at the moment and willing to do what it takes to get the victory,” McKiernan said.
“We are still down on a couple of troops and to have other players step up and do the job shows we have a lot of depth this year.”
Co-coach Adam McMurray, Tobie Malcolm and Trent Digiaia were unavailable for selection.
McKiernan is expecting McMurray to make a return in a week or two.
The Magpies had the perfect start against the Shamrocks with Luke Dufty scoring off a backline move on their opening set of the game.
Handling errors and ill-discipline crept into their game and the Shamrocks took full advantage scoring three tries in a row to take a 16-6 lead.
However, the Magpies removed the mistakes from their game and fought back for a 22-16 advantage at half-time, a lead they never relinquished.
The side continued from where they left off in the second half, running away with the contest to remain undefeated after three matches.
Jack Walsh-McKiernan played through the pain of an injury and was a standout for the Magpies.
The 16-year-old fullback has been one of their best players this season and he bagged two tries in the win.
Thomas Brewster was awarded the player’s player in his debut match for the club.
“Thomas was great, he came in off the wing and took plenty of hit ups and broke the first contact every run,” McKiernan said.
There is a different feeling around the club, everyone is there for one another at the moment and willing to do what it takes to get the victory.
- Co-coach Zac McKiernan
Second-rower Thomas Stevenson received three points from his teammates for being “involved in everything” throughout the match.
“His defensive work is unmatched and he doesn’t shy away from taking the opposition line on,” McKiernan said.
The Magpies play on home soil this weekend after spending the last two weeks on the road and McKiernan is confident his side will be able to defeat the Laurieton Hotel Stingrays, who are in their inaugural season in the Hastings League.
The match kicks off at 2.30pm on Saturday.