Match report – New York Magpies v. North Carolina Tigers @ Raleigh, NC

A bright sunny and hot Saturday afternoon greeted the visitors in Raleigh, North Carolina. The scene was set for an important clash between the North Carolina Tigers and the New York Magpies. It was the opening game for the travelers, and one that was always going to be interesting given that New York had a good number of new faces in their side.

Priding itself on being good travelers, the Magpie side opened up in style banging on two goals in the first five minutes. North Carolina to their credit tightened up their belts and hit back with tight work in the backlines and some equally impressive defensive work in their own forward line to squeeze out a couple of goals themselves.

At the main break the Tigers had shown that the heat was not going to factor into their game and this showed on the scoreboard. About 10 minutes into the third term North Carolina staged their customary revival and managed to get within 10 points of a Magpie side that showed some signs of slowing in the irrepressible heat. For this reason the game became a bit of a slog in the clinches with both sides trying to gain some sort of ascendancy.

North Carolina’s main focal point at center half forward, Jason Heathcote, was kept fairly quiet with some great work from Darren ‘Doreen’ Toohey, formally of Arizona, he was ably assisted with back flankers Jimmy ‘Turtle’ Polulach and Garth ‘Brookes’ Nevin. North Carolina themselves were very good themselves across half back and manufactured some great passages of play. At three quarter time the Magpies held the ascendancy but the Tigers I am sure were convinced that the New York side appeared to show some of wilting in the afternoon sun.

New York ‘found something’ in the last quarter with some solid defensive work, which was rewarded at the other end with some creative work by the forwards. In the end the New York side opened their account for the season with a well earned 33 point win. North Carolina however will not be disappointed with their effort either, if it weren’t for some errant kicking for goal the game could have been a lot closer. The competition appears to be as even as it has been in some years which can only build on the anticipation of what is to come both for the EAFL and also heading into the Nationals in October. The New York side plays an improving Philadelphia side in New York on July 28.

Goal scorers: North 3, Batty 2, Murray 1, Nevin 1, Marr 1, Polulach 1, Lonergan 1 & Hawkins 1.

Match Video