Last year Tamworth had to wait seven rounds to notch their debut win in the New England competition - a drag they have immediately eliminated in 2019.
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After the wet weather of early Saturday gave way to an afternoon blue, Tamworth opened their second season in New England with a chest-thumping 30-19 defeat of Barbarians.
It was a win built on grit (they came back from 12-0 in the first half to lead 14-12 at halftime, despite struggling to find offensive rhythm), and underlined by attacking vim (they came alive offensively after the break).
The end result: an unassailable lead, and momentum going forward.
On the eve of the match, Magpies mentor Peter Burke said he could see "no weaknesses" in his starting 15, and was "looking forward" to seeing how they gelled.
He was a clearly satisfied man at the conclusion of play on Saturday. As they shook hands at the match's conclusion, Magpies lock Nat Ellerton asked Burke if he was happy. "Yeah ... very," the reply.
"We were probably a little bit lucky to be ahead at halftime," Burke said. "But with the wind behind us and the sun behind us in the second half, I thought we could set it up so we could go for a win, and the boys executed nicely."
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Barbarians opened the scoring in the eighth minute through a close-range try to winger Oli Wright. It was set up by a slashing run by No.10 Mati Pfaff.
In the 20th minute, Baa-Baas made to 12-0 when centre Tyrone Sio-Avia scored after he charged on to a short ball by Pfaff close to the tryline and crossed under the posts. Sio-Avia added the extras.
Tamworth hit back in the 26th minute when No.8 Darcy Barker exploded close to the visitors' tryline and offloaded for winger Clint Coles to score out wide. Barker is back at his junior club after attending the University of Newcastle, whom he played rugby for, while it was Coles' first game for the club in several years. No.12 Joe Evans - perfect with the boot all day - converted.
Tamworth led 14-12 after Barbarians got careless and lost the ball in-goal when a pass went to ground. Magpies prop Lachie Ennis dived on the loose ball.
"The last 10 minutes in the first half was very important for us," Burke said. "We came back and started to clean out a little better and started to dominate that phase."
Tamworth morphed offensively after the break, launching a series of raids on the Baa-Baas' tryline.
In the 46th minute, Evans booted a penalty goal from in front to make it 17-12. The penalty resulted in Barbarians flanker Rhys Graham being sin-binned.
With Baa-Baas down to 14 players, Tamworth crossed in the 52nd minute through Billy Urquhart, who replaced No.10 Harry Morrow when he was injured early in the match. On the fly, Urquhart accepted a fluffed attempt at defusing a Magpies high ball close to the tryline, and crossed under the posts. Evans converted: 24-12.
Evans kicked two more penalty goals to make it 30-12.
A converted try to Wright in the last 10 seconds made the scoreline less unflattering for the visitors.
Burke said Tamworth's discipline to fight back after being down 12-0 was the most pleasing aspect of the match. "So scoreline, fighting back - it shows a lot character," he said.
The veteran mentor nominated Magpies skipper Jim Bracken, the No. 7, as his best. "He led from in front, some of his cleanouts were magnificent, he ran with the ball nicely, so he's got my three points."
Tamworth 30 (Clint Coles, Lachie Ennis, Billy Urquhart tries; Joe Evans 3 con, 3 pen) d Barbarians 19 (Oli Wright 2, Tyrone Sio-Avia ties; Sio-Avia 2 con)
