New England rugby: Albies defeat Tamworth 38-29 | PHOTOS

An excellent crowd descended on a sun-bathed ground for what turned out to be an entertaining game of rugby.

Tamworth were on the ropes midway through the second half, after Albies scored two unanswered tries to lead 32-14.

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But the home side struck back with a penalty and then a solo try to No 10 Liam Allan in the 58th minute, which he converted from out wide: 32-24.

And when Fijian winger Martin Chute - on debut for the club - streaked down the touchline to score his second try in the 72nd minute, it was game on at 35-29.

But Albies No 15 Jock Pattinson booted a penalty goal to blunt Tamworth's fightback.

The home side, however, will likely get a confidence boost from the performance - especially given the side's transformation.

Tamworth prop Harry Mills is the sole survivor from the Magpies side who lost to Coffs Harbour in last season's preliminary final. No one else from that side played on Saturday.

In fact, the Magpies' entire backline made their first-grade debuts for the club on Saturday

Based on that and what he saw on Saturday, Tamworth's new captain and No 9 Charlie Kensey said the Magpies were plump with potential - the most he had seen "in a long time".

"We've got a lot of new faces, a lot of new combinations," said the former Sydney first-grader.

"But we put on 29 points. Work on a few defensive patterns, and I think we'll go really well this year."

It was Kensey who opened the scoring - his long-range intercept try converted by No 10 Allan, and then followed by a long-range Chute try after he scooped up a loose pass. Allan converted: 14-0.

In the 19th minute, winger Benjo Makim crossed for Albies' first try after the visitors worked the blindside from a scrum and Makim showed good hustle.

Six minutes later, Albies struck again when No 8 Sam Greer backed up on the Magpies' tryline to accept an excellent ball from halfback Nick Whipp. Pattinson converted: 14-12 to Tamworth.

In the 33rd minute, Albies centre and captain Hagan Size crashed over from close range to make it 17-14.

Soon after that, St Albert's No 6 Lachlan Elworthy was red-carded for a lifting tackle on prop Lachie Ennis.

The score remained 17-14 at the break.

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