Group 4: Magpies beat Cowboys 30-24 at Dungowan

The Magpies lost their first two games to Kootingal-Moonbi and Narrabri at David Taylor Park but bounced back by snaring a 30-24 win over the Cowboys on Saturday.

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Both sides scored six tries apiece but Dungowan couldn't kick a goal, whereas Harlee Millgate converted three of the six Magpies' four-pointers.

He was one of his side's best, also scoring a try and having a hand in much of the Magpies' marauding.

Moved from fullback to five-eighth, he and Werris Creek co-coach and No 13 Cody Tickle spearheaded many attacks.

Tickle was outstanding again and was able to offload in almost every hit-up, although he suffered from a lack of support at times.

If he does receive that support, the Magpies might win a few more games.

Tickle said it was a "good, grinding win" after the Magpies came back from a 16-10 half-time deficit.

The Magpies levelled the score just after the kick-off to the second half, feasting on a dropped ball to score three tackles later when Millgate crashed over beside the posts.

They hit the lead when halfback Bryce Daniels burrowed over from dummy half, and then edged it out to 26-16 when fullback Isaah Millgate scored a deserving try.

Kieren Croft gave the Cowboys a glimmer when he ran a great line to score his second try but the Magpies played tit-for-tat when winger Dion Reid crossed.

A final try to Dungowan winger Brodie Heron made it 30-24 and left the Cowboys winless after three games.

"All three games have been there for the taking too," a disappointed Dungowan coach, Shaun Ferguson, said.

"We've just lacked patience. [But I] can't fault the effort and the boys have been training well. [We] just can't hold the ball. Those simple errors are killing us."

He thought Kieren Croft was good, as was young five-eighth Cody Byrne, who was electric at times.

Simple errors are also causing Werris Creek co-coaches Thomas Brown and Tickle plenty of problems.

"It's a work in progress," Tickle said. "Every week we are putting another link in the chain. Our defence was good today."

Prop Marcus Doran had another strong game for the Magpies and Tickle thought winger Tyren Cloake was good while also marvelling at lightweight winger Dion Reid's improving efforts.

"Yeah, he weighs about 13kg," Tickle joked.

First grade: WERRIS CREEK 30 (Dion Reid, Dylan Porter, Ian Reid, Harlee Millgate, Bryce Daniels, Isaah Millgate tries, Harlee Millgate 3gls) d DUNGOWAN 24 (Kieren Croft 2, Cody Byrne, John Marau, Blair Maloney, Brodie Heron tries) G4 B&F: 3 Cody Tickle (WC), 2 Cody Byrne (Dun), 1 Marcus Doran (WC).

Second grade: DUNGOWAN 28 (Jarrett Kirby 2, Scott Berry, Zane Woods tries, Berry 3, Zac Leach Deahm gls) d WERRIS CREEK 18 (James Bates, Josh Larkin, Chris Wilson tries, Jackson Kent 3gls) G4 B&F: 3 Scott Berry (Dun), 2 Tyrill Knox (WC), 1 Jesse Porter (WC).

Under 18: DUNGOWAN 22 (Archie Wainwright 2, Max Smith, Nick Hooley tries, Hooley 3gls) d WERRIS CREEK 16 (Malik Hunt, Julian Fuller, Levi Allan tries, Dylan Smith 2gls) G4 B&F: 3 Nick Hooley (Dun), 2 Dylan Smith (WC), 1 Max Smith (Dun).

Ladies League Tag: DUNGOWAN 32 (Jada Taylor 3, Jamie Blackler 2, Kimmy Taggart tries, Blackler 4gls) d WERRIS CREEK 14 (Jess Baker, Hannah Tickle, Jess Pryor tries, Baker gl) G4 B&F: 3 Jada Taylor (Dun), 2 Jamie Blackler (Dun), 1 Jess Baker (WC).

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