New England Rugby: Finau Tuqeta crosses for a double as Tamworth beat Barbarians 50-14

In front of the Tamworth faithful at Tamworth Rugby Park, the Magpies broke through for their first win of the season 50-14.

"I would say we progressed yesterday but it's a slow progression," Burke assessed.

"We're a long way off playing the sort of football we want to play."

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He pointed out that it was a lot tougher than the scoreline suggests.

"It took us a while to get on top of them," he said.

The visitors scored first and trailed only 13-7 at half-time. They then hit the front early in the second half.

But the Magpies found their rhythm after that running in four unanswered tries to pull away for what was in the end a pretty comfortable win.

"All credit to the Baa Baas, their set piece, especially their scrum was really really good," Burke said.

"They put us under a lot of early pressure but I don't think their fitness up to scratch, which showed in the second half."

Second rower Jack Barker had highlighted the lineout as one of the areas they had really focused on during the week and it served them well on Saturday.

"We certainly got our fair share of lineout ball," Burke said.

"And when we started to get continuity of ball, they couldn't handle us in defence."

Liam Allan was at the centre of what a lot of the Magpies did, the five-eighth having "a day out".

"He didn't miss a goal, everything he did turned to gold," Burke said.

"He set up our attack and just played brilliantly."

He has been impressed with the way he has stepped this season.

"He's matured very, very quickly," he said.

"I think he learnt a lot playing reserve grade last year. He's got a really good football head on him."

'Pint-sized' winger Finau Tuqeta was another to stand out.

"He had a brilliant game," Burke said.

"He played on the right wing but was popping up on the left wing and making defensive tackles."

"And his speed is electric."

Baa Baas felt the brunt of that with the winger scoring a double.

The backrow - Tom Croake, Angus Lang on first grade debut, and Darcy Barker were also immense.

Burke also made mention of inside centre Nick Wiseman. He played "half a game on one leg" after pulling his groin in the warm-up.

In the other game St Alberts got the better of college rivals Robb 30-20.

Meanwhile the Magpies third grade also got up 41-7 but the women's 7s side lost both of their games.

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