Magpies Go Down to Dragons on Home Soil                                                                13-5-08

In what was their third loss in succession, the Picton Magpies were comfortably defeated 34 to 14 by the Moss Vale Dragons at Victoria Park on Sunday.

After trailing 16 – 10 at the half-time break, the Magpies were unable to match their opponents due to poor discipline and a lack of commitment where the Dragons went on to score three tries to one in the second half.

Early in the second half a try to centre Rob Chauvet saw the Magpies narrow the gap to 16 to 14 only to have the Dragons score three unanswered tires to run out comfortable winners, 34 to 14.

It took up until the 18th minute for the scores to move from 0 all and it was Heath Browne that scored under the posts thanks to some good lead up work from lock Nathan Sutton and the Magpies took a 6 – 0 lead over their Southern Highland rivals. The Dragons opened their try scoring account in the 25th minute before posting another two tires to take a commanding 16 to 6 lead. A try to Josh Tailby late in the first half brought the half-time score to 16 to 10.

Magpies coach Noel Wood labelled his sides defeat to the Dragons, as woeful.

“The Dragons didn’t win the game, we won it for them with a lack of commitment and dropping off late in our sets when in defence, as you have to tackle for the entire set, not just drop off in tackles four and five, and that was what hurt us,” Wood said.

“In our three of our losses so far this season, there were two that we should have won, there is no question about that, and it all comes down to a lack of commitment.”

Wood was not backwards in coming forwards when expressing how disappointment he was with his side’s performances over recent weeks, and hinted that a number of his more experienced players are on track to a stint in reserve grade.

“Maybe there are a few players that should have a stint back in reserve grade just for a bit of a wakeup call,” expressed a disappointed Wood, who had to cope with the loss of experienced players Nathan Sutton (dislocated finger) and Dave Beddall (badly sprained ankle) for the entire match during the first half.

“Something has to be done, and I think it’s time that I bring some of the younger players up to first grade and give them a shot, as a number of players just aren’t performing, it’s as simple as it, and a lot of it comes down to a lack of commitment.”

On the positive side Wood was really pleased with the efforts of Heath Browne and Under 18 A’s player Alex Peters, along with the half combination of Josh Tailby and Will Dreves.

“[Heath] Browne and [Alex] Peters just never stopped trying all day, and Peters did an outstanding job and going by Sunday’s performance he will be getting plenty of more first grade opportunities this season,” enthused Wood.

In other Magpie news, the reserve grade continued their undefeated season with a comfortable 38 to 4 victory over the Dragons, while the Under 18 A’s did likewise downing the Dragons 42 to 16. The Under 18 B’s had a bye.

Next Sunday’s (May 18) games will see the Magpies take on the Camden Rams at Kirkham Park in first grade, reserve grade, and Under 18 A’s. The Under 18 B’s are set to take on The Oaks Tigers at the Dudley Chesham Sportsground in The Oaks.

To find out more about the Picton Magpies visit their official website: www.pictonmagpies.com.au

-ENDS RELEASE-

Picton Magpies media enquiries Daniel Powell – Redline Media

Phone: 0246 832 287

Mobile: 0432 126 210

Email: daniel@redlinemedia.com.au

Website: www.redlinemedia.com.au