The Magpies cemented their spot in the semi-finals after a dominant display over other finals contender The Hinton Hornets to the tune of 44 points to 14.

With several players coming back from injury the Magpies are looking good as they take on second place. Woodberry (away) and third placed Abermain (home) in the next couple of weeks.

But back to this weekend’s game. With Daniel Tull starting the game from the bench it was up to Simon Hitchcock and the new front rower Matty Higgins to take control up front which they did. Some bustling runs up the middle gave the pretty boys some space out wide resulting in two quick tries to the Magpies.

They began to lose the plot a little in the discipline department as simple errors began to creep into their game which allowed the Hornets back into the game with two tries of their own. It was only a great individual try from Jacob Pickworth that sent the Magpies to the Gatorade break-up 16-10.

Whatever Captain Cranky said at half-time it seemed to have the desired effect as the Maggies came out a more determined side with Tully coming into the front row and Fatty Matty moving back to the second row. Our forward pack started to dominate the centre of the ruck allowing halves Hayden Tull and Mick Shultz to work their magic for the pretty boys out wide.

With the game in the balance, Maggies leading 30-16, the game took a dramatic twist.

The Hinton boys are still in total bewilderment and the large Magpies’ crowd has not seen something like this in a long time. Everyone was stunned. Like a thief in the night (with Hinton on the attack) that pilfering, plundering second rower Matt Higgins steals the ball in a one-on-one tackle from a nippy Hinton half back. The turning point in the game.

The Hinton side was completely demoralised after this incident. This was the story Matty was telling everyone after the game. Maybe it was true as the Maggies ran out winners 44-14.

The Maggies are away next week against Woodberry then back home for the last game before the semis.

Hope to see you there at Bertie’s Oval.