It safe to say that we have a few future NRL Stars play their first game of Rugby League for the Yass Magpies under 6’s.

Yass Magpies u/6's had a very entertaining close game Sunday morning. Sunday was the team’s first performance of the year. Seth Olah scored a great double with some hard running and fantastic palming off also Charlie Jamieson scored a fantastic long range try with some good skills and great determination. All the Kids were great in defence except for the occasional high shot and great in attack except a few kids running the wrong way but that’s all part of the fun. Taylah Isbister, Jaiden Ings and George Farley were all outstanding in their first game. Special thanks to parents who put their hand up and traveled to Queanbeyan. The Kids take one Queanbeyan again this weekend at Walker Park 9am Sunday come down and support our future stars of the game.  Go the Magpies!

Under 7’s

The Pateman Power Solutions under 7’s put in a solid attack and defensive effort to win their first game of the season 20 – 4 against the Gungahlin Bulls Red team. Alex Bell was the first to crack the defence with a try, followed by George Foran, Jack Ryan, Liam Beeten and Sutherland Holliday. Stepping and defensive palm offs are starting to become a great part of the game.

Sutherland Holliday was top of the defence with Jack Jamieson, Jack Ryan, Eli Cassidy and Alex Bell not far behind. Takai Kristiansen-Chatfield made a spectacular try saving tackle with Brodie Poidevin-Warden making a couple on the side-line. Kane Mitchell and Brock Lenon both fantastic first games as Magpies.

Great work boys and I think we can look forward to a great season ahead!

Under 8’s

For the first round of the 2016 season the Yass Magpies under 8’s went up against the Woden Weston Rams in Curtin ACT.  The Rams defence was too strong for the magpies to break through with the Ram’s taking their first win of the season 40 – 0.  Even though the score didn’t show it the Magpies put up a great effort in their first game.

Under 9’s

The Tanks Bakery U9’s Magpies played West Belconnen on Sunday going down 30-10. Although they found it a challenge to adapting it to the new Mod rules, Coach Peter was impressed with how the boys spread out in defence and tackled in numbers. Connor, Denver & Oscar led the charge in defence with Joey, Kylan & Kyle keeping pressure on Belconnen with their allusive runs. Try scorers this week was Thomas Jamieson and Connor Shepherd, Connor also converting his try. New comer Baxton received the player for the week trophy for his all-round performance. Special mention to Dom, Will, Josh & Sean, all putting in solid efforts.

Under 10’s

Round 1 saw the Amaroo Coloured Wool under 10’s travel to Queanbeyan to face off against the Blues. Our Maggies put pressure on the Blues right from the first kick off. It was not long before Jack Collins ran onto the ball to score in the corner. The boys passing game was spot-on putting Brad Barber over the line to score and Lucas McPherson side-stepped defenders to score our third try.

Yass continued to dominate the game in the second half with Zac Finch busting through the line to score a well-earned try. Tony Davis, Dane Howard and Ben Martens made solid hit-ups throughout the game. Lucas McPherson burst through the opposition to run in Yass’ last try as the full-time buzzer went.

Riley Bateup topping the tackle count with great defence from Jazz Carey, Josh Barry, Dane Howard and Zac Finch. The final score Yass 28 – Queanbeyan 16.

Under 11’s

The Hi-Way Motor Inn under 11’s had a great start to the season with a 40 point to 4 win over Woden Weston. All the boys had a terrific game, with everyone contributing to the final result. 

There was some big strong runs and great tackling that made the game awesome to watch. Luke Davis had his career best game, with 3 tries and some strong tackling. It is also great to have both Will and Tyson back in the side after having a year or two off.

Tries to Luke (3), Lane (2), and 1 each to Coby, Timmy and Lucas. Conversions to Coby, Lucas, Cameron and Lane. We have had a terrific lead up to Round 1, and look forward to the year ahead. 

Under 13’s

The U/13’s Sponsored by Chris and Mell Beck Tree Removalists headed to Nicholls Oval for the round one encounter, nervous, playing on the big field for the first time, with new teammates, changes in positions and new coaching staff Jesse and Richo in their ears.

The Magpies dominated field position in the first half, with Yass’s left side centre Jack Callaughan making big metres down field on every opportunity and being laid a good go forward platform by the front rowers of Thomas Bell and Kane Dowling.

Yass had three tries on the scoreboard, before allowing Gungahlin Bulls make metres from a couple of back to back errors, but the Magpies defensive effort was very good, with the halves pairing of Kyle Jenkins and Ryan Prins, working hard and organising the Magpies line.

The Magpies halves kicking game was outstanding on the back of strong completions by the Yass team, only making three errors in the first half, they dominated the Bulls in every play, with Yass going to halftime leading 5 tries to Nil.

The Yass forwards were eating metres with dummy half, Sam Clark organising, back rowers Harvey Blackmore, Declan Barry, and lock forward Braith Ironside creating havoc on the edge of the Bulls ruck.

The second half had the Magpies running into the strong headwind, making an error early gave the opportunity for the speedy Bulls winger to score a try on the Yass’s left edge. The Bulls thought they had found a vulnerable area to attack, but they didn’t count on Magpies full back, Patrick McPhillips and winger Angus Gallahar, working hard in defence to stop two try opportunities for the Bulls.

The outside backs for Yass were outstanding in attack on the changeover of possession, Charlie Beck, Bailey Rummary and Caleb Davis creating havoc on every carry for the team.

Once again the Magpies only made three errors in the second half, dominating field position into the strong head wind, with back rower Tyson Carey, finding space and making metres on every carry.

The support play and offloads by the Magpies caused the Bulls major concerns with the Magpies scoring 4 tries to 2 in the second half.  The final score Yass Magpies 42 defeating the Gungahlin Bulls 8.

Tries - Patrick McPhillips 2, Jack Callahan 2, Declan Barry 2, Kyle Jenkins 1, Sam Clark 1, Harvey Blackmore 1. Goals – Ryan Prins 1, Sam Clark 1, Kane Dowling 1. The Chris and Mell Beck Tree Removals player of the match went to Harvey Blackmore. Thanks to, Josh Sykes for running the line, Mick Jenkins and John Prins as water boys, Mell as our first aid officer and Malcolm Ironside looking after the score sheet for the game.

Under 14’s

The Bezzy’s Garden Services under 14’s travelled to Melba to take on the Belconnen Sharks. Yass were quick to open with a frenzy of tries and quickly established a 6 tries to 1 lead at half time. 

Hayden Faulder was unstoppable with 4 tries and Michael Williams playing in the halves also scoring 3 times and converting 1. Other point scorers were 2 tries to Tyler Bell, 1 to Riley Timmer & Jayden Caldwell and 5 goals to Tom Robert. 

The ref called the mercy rule 8min short, final score 56-6. Our new coach Spider praised the boys on their team work and how well they followed game plans.

Under 16’s

The under 16's had their first game of the year against Goulburn in Goulburn on Friday night.

While going down 0-13 the boys showed that once they get more game time together they will be more than capable of troubling the top teams. It was a rainy night which stifled our attack out wide so the game became a battle in the forwards. 

Will Goode in his debut for the club was a tower of strength and collected 3 points in a man of the match performance while Blake Watson was not far behind to collect 2 points. Tyler Waters high defensive work rate display enabled him to collect 1 point. 

In the backs Lachlan Davis and Jack Godfrey both defended well on the edges.

Another debutant Tyson Ings along with Hayden Puckett shared the player’s player award.

Newcomer Ryan Willcott in his first ever game of League ran strongly and will be a great asset the more games he plays in.

Next Friday the team plays their first home game of the year @7pm and will welcome back two players but will be without both front rowers who are unavailable.

Under 18’s Girls

Last Friday night we saw the first ever Yass Minor League Magpies Rugby League team take the field to represent the town of Yass in the full tackle model of the game.

Up against the back to back Premiers Goulburn at Goulburn's home ground the girls were ready for a baptism of fire and all the travelled supporters were not sure what to expect from our girls against such strong opposition.

After 5 minutes of game time the supporters worry had turned to admiration of how well the girls were mixing it with the talented opposition.

Some of the one on one tackling was phenomenal and hard to believe from a team playing for the first time.

Shannon Wright scored the first try for the team and calmly converted her try then later added another goal from out wide which the referee commented on how sweet the kick was and being involved heavily in a lot of the Yass attack Shannon was awarded the 3 points in the player points for the match.

Maddison Douven who partners Shannon in the halves was absolutely everywhere. Tackling like a demon with her cover tackling a highlight and handling the ball in attack numerous times received the 2 points.

Tamika Veale was the recipient of the 1 point and also scored the 2nd try for Yass running a great line onto a pass and was to strong for the 3 defenders to stop her tackling was also a highlight.

There were a lot of good performers but a special mention for Logan Davis who took on the big Goulburn pack and got over the top of them. Constantly hurting them with her running and ironing them out with her tackling.

The highlight being smashing there front rower from the kick off which resulted in Yass scoring. Her work rate with the ball was phenomenal.

While the score got away towards the end of the game the girls have shown that they will be more than a giggle and be instead a great addition to the league and also a good advertisement for girl’s rugby league in Yass.

Each week the girls will be the Curtin raiser to the under 16's boys game and will attain a large crowd following in their own right.

Well done girls on your first game and good luck getting out of bed today!