Magpies Outmuscled by Workers                                                                                 15-7-08

In a match that never reached any great heights, the Picton Magpies were comfortably defeated 36 to 16 by the Oakdale Workers at Victoria Park on Sunday in round 13 of the Group 6 first grade competition.

Both the Magpies and Workers were left with 12 men after Nathan Sutton (Magpies) and Bart Masters (Workers) were sent off for dissent in separate incidents during the second half.

The Workers dominated for most of the match and heading into the half time break they had built up a 22 to 0 lead. In the second half the Magpies were able to score a total of three tires, one to Will Dreves and a double to centre Rob Chauvet, and although they won the second half they were still defeated 36 to 16.

After this latest defeat the Magpies have missed an opportunity to move closer to second spot on the premiership ladder and still remain in fourth spot. Although second spot is still achievable, they must defeat the Thirlmere Roosters and Camden Rams in the remaining two rounds of the regular season in order to do so.

It was a far from convincing performance from the Magpies, who are always hard to beat on home soil, and coach Noel Wood will need his players to regroup if they are to prove a match to the Thirlmere Roosters next Sunday at Victoria Park. The Magpies can take plenty of confidence into their match up with the Roosters after they played out a draw in their last encounter and the Magpies were certainly unlucky not to have come away with the victory.

In reserve grade it was a top of the table clash between the Magpies and Workers and it was the Magpies that managed to get the upper hand and win 24 to 20 in what was a very close and entertaining match.

While the Under 18 A’s were defeated by the Mt. Annan / Currans Hills Knights 18 to 16 in another top of the table battle, while the Under 18 B’s went down 24 to 8 at the hands of The Oak Tigers.

Next Sunday’s (July 20) matches will see the Magpies take on the Thirlmere Roosters in first grade, reserve grade, and Under 18 A’s at Victoria Park, while the Under 18 B’s travel to Warragamba Sportsground to play the Warragamba Wombats.