Razzle-dazzle football was the order of the day on the weekend as the Magpies ran rings around Tuggeranong.
The Yass Golf Club Magpies kept their perfect record for 2012 intact, with a thumping 50-26 win over the Tuggeranong Bushrangers last Saturday at Greenway.
In doing so Yass chalked up their first victory in 12 visits to the Bushrangers home ground, dating back to their re-admission to first division in 2001.
The players were in sensational touch during the first half, having the game all but sewn up at the break, leading 40-6. The intensity dropped off during the second 40 minutes but by then the job had already been done.
Yass’ pack completely dominated proceedings from the kick off with the shell-shocked Bushrangers unable to halt the Magpies' onslaught. The Magpies were racing the clock leading 34-0 after only 30 minutes, and any score seemed possible.
Half-back Scott Naughton was creating havoc for the Bushrangers' defence, with a hand in most of the tries scored, including two himself. But as is so often the case with any team who has a scorching start to a game, the Magpies started to push passes that weren’t on, which evened out the match.
Nothing can be taken away from the Magpies though, with the forward pack outstanding. They laid the platform for the win with a barnstorming opening to proceedings and deserve all the accolades. Front rower Ray Robinson played his best game this year whilst his partners in crime, Nathan Merritt, Brendan Anderson, Brad Wylie and skipper Brett Waters steam-rolled the Bushrangers pack.
Coach Mark Bell was very happy with the scoreline noting that it is always hard to motivate players when you are leading by that much at half-time.
Bell claims he isn’t going to get carried away with the Magpies' promising start to the season, knowing that sterner tests are yet to come.
Yass will play quality sides Queanbeyan and Belconnen United in upcoming matches and this will give them a better idea of where they are at.
The Magpies have the bye this weekend which will leave them on top of the ladder before being home to the struggling West Belconnen Warriors on Saturday week.
Magpies 50 (Tries: Mulia 2, McLean 2, Naughton 2, Waters, Vataki, Connors and goals: Warden 7) defeated Bushrangers 26.
The news wasn’t so good for the reserve grade side which lost to Tuggeranong 30-18. Grand-finalists from last year, the side has now lost two on the trot and is searching for answers.
The under 18s Magpies side was also unsuccessful in its match against Tuggeranong, beaten easily 14-36.