Facing Florida for the first time in a few years on May 1st, the Magpies had a few butterflies. The game got off to a scrappy start as both teams fought hard to win the contested ball. Buckingham started on top in the ruck and his midfielders (Witmner, Hocking, Buxton and Smith) responded by continually sending the ball forward to Walkington, Sani, Walker and McCormick, who ensured the Magpies had a 5 goal lead at half time. McMaster and Flavel controlled the air, while Davis, Lewis, and Lin played with composure and experience beyond their years to ensure plenty of attack from the backline.
The conditions were taxing on the all players and both teams kept up the intensity in the second half. It was a hard fought second half and McCormick, Mantzaris, Guarino, and Desai all worked hard through the middle. The back line continued their pressure with Polulach, Desai and Puvi running hard and finding plenty of the ball. Big Toby and Buckets made sure that work up the field was rewarded with scoreboard pressure.
Brennan, Mitchell, and Hawkins were excellent roaming across the middle and forward line. In true MVP fashion, JD kicked a goal with his first kick of the year proving it was always going to be the Magpies’ day. Walkington added the exclamation point and the Magpies ran out comfortable winners.
NY Magpies 10.7.67
Florida 1.3.9
NY:
Goals – Brennan 2, Sani 2, Toby, Hawkins, Walkington, JD, Mitchell Davis, Walker
Best – Wittmer, Georgiou, Smith, Sani, Davis
Take a peek at all the photos.
A number of new players turned up to Tibbetts Brook Park for the club’s first hit out of the year. The more highly fancied Vics were slow out of the blocks against the Allies. However, by quarter time the Allies had a small lead that grew to 4 goals at the half, thanks to the forward line presence of Keating and Walkington while Jimmy McLoughlin kicked 5 first half goals in his debut as a Magpie. Whilst the ball was continuing to be kicked long into the Allies forward line, back line generals Norman, Smiles, and McCormick did well to keep the pressing Allies at bay.
The Allies were on top in the middle with Taylor at first. With the move of 17 year old Dan Lehane into the ruck, Ormsby, Smith, Hawkins, Lin and Desai grabbed first use of the ball. The Allies’ defense was proving to be a good platform of attack with composure by Lewis and Polulach’s penetrating kicking.
After a half time spray by stand in coach Squires, the Vics came out firing with Dawkins, Gluck, and Mitchell all getting more of the ball and giving their forwards better delivery. Georgiou was also moved forward with immediate impact and formed a potent forward line with first gamers, Sani and Nichols. Roberts was moved to half back where he shut down first half hero McLoughlin.
The last quarter was a tight contest. Both teams traded goals and Brennan continued his dominant performance. Buxton’s class showed through, but the Allies countered with Guarino’s long left foot kicking. There were big efforts from McCormick and Walker for their respective teams and after Lehane’s solo run and goal the Allies were up with only a few minutes on the clock.
However, it was the courageous return by injured Vics’ ruckman Buckingham, who dominated early until injury forced him to leave the field, that sparked the Vics. Any hopes the Allies had of stealing this one were snuffed out when late goals by Dawkins and Sani were enough for the Vics to hang on over a gallant Allies outfit. Andrew Brennan was awarded the Rob Oliver medal for best on ground.
Vics 12.10 82
Allies 11.9 75
Game 1
In the first game of the 2009 Nationals, the Lady Magpies came up short against the Arizona Lady Hawks. Although the Magpies fought hard and kept the pressure on their defensive side, they came up short on the scoreboard to one of their biggest rivals.
Arizona Lady Hawks 3.6-24 defeated the New York Lady Magpies 2.4-16
Game 2
The Calgary Blue, Nationals 2008 champions, proved to be a tough match for the Lady Magpies. The Blues racked up too many goals for the Lady Magpies to answer, but as always New York battled until the last second of the game.
Calgary Blue 7.2-44 defeated the New York Lady Magpies 0.2-2
Game 3
In the final match against the Eastern Canada/Sacramento fusion team, the Lady Magpies proved they could put points on the board and hold their opponents to a close game. In the end, the Lady Magpies lost by only a behind in the most skillful, physical game they’ve played yet.
Eastern Canada/Sacramento 1.2-8 defeated the New York Lady Magpies 1.1-7
Game 1
New York Magpies 1 – 6 -12
Orange County 1 – 4 – 10
In the first game of the tournament the Magpies were pushed all the way by a strong OC team. Goals were at a premium and the NY Magpies managed to come from behind and hold to seal an important win.
Game 2
New York Magpies 5 – 0 -30
Seattle 2 – 4 – 16
In game 2 the NY Magpies started slow and trailed at the half. After an old fashioned rev up at half time the team started to win the ball and use it more effectively. This resulted in a strong second half and the Magpies ran out comfortable winners over a strong Seattle team.
Game 3
Baltimore / Washington Eagles 9 – 4 – 58
New York Magpies 1 – 0 -6
Game 3 was played on the Sunday and the Magpies were taken by surprise by a fierce Eagles outfit. Perhaps the Magpies had taken the Eagles lightly and this resulted in a dissapointing loss to see the Magpies just miss the Division 1 finals by percentage.
