IN Round 12 of the Group 2 Rugby League competition, the Bellingen Valley/Dorrigo Magpies took on the Woolgoolga Seahorses at Bellingen Park on Sunday.
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The games were chosen to be part of the 2013 NAIDOC celebrations.
In a game vital to the fortunes of both U18s teams as only one point separated them on the table, the players from both teams gave it their all in a spirited clash.
The Magpies had to defend grimly early on as some simple errors allowed the Seahorses to put a lot of pressure on the try line. However, once they regrouped and held the ball for a few tackles Dylan Edwards was able to slice through to score a good try. He then converted this to take the Magpies to 6-0.
A determined run of fifty metres by Dillon Young seemed to have the Magpies on top.
In the second half the Magpie attack clicked into gear with tries to Dylan Edwards and Joey Taylor. Edwards' conversions took the Magpies to 18-12.
A much more determined Reserve Grade effort saw the Magpies keep the opposition under 50 points for the first time this season to lose 44-10.
After the great effort in their last home game against the Comets, First Grade were expected to once again rise to the occasion and give the Seahorses a run for their money.
With coach Maurie Hulbert suffering from his birthday celebrations many basic errors early on not only made his suffering worse it took the sting out of the Magpies and allowed the Seahorses to put the pressure on for the entire game. Eventually the Magpies went down 44-8.
Next week the Magpies play Macksville at Macksville and then finish the season at home against the Orara Valley Axemen. All employers, supporters and sponsors are invited to this game, as it is the annual Back to Bello game.