Byron hits the break on top

Byron Bay Magpies will play in the QFA in 2024. Photo: Brad Greenshields

ROUND 7 REVIEW: The Byron Bay Magpies’ men’s team continued on its winning way on the weekend to maintain its unbeaten run and stay on top of the ladder ahead of the King’s Birthday General Bye.

Not unexpectedly, Byron’s men jumped out of the blocks at home on Saturday against Northern Beaches.

The Magpies led by 60 points at the first break before the Blues started to find their feet and win a greater share of contested ball.

Blayne Hull kicked 10 goals for the Magpies while Daniel Tiffin capped off a best on ground performance with five goals of his own.

Byron’s women almost inflicted the first loss of the season on Northern Beaches.

In a low scoring affair that saw both teams kick just the one goal, scores were level at the final break before the Blues held their ball inside their forward half for the majority of the last term to score the two behinds that proved the difference between the two teams.

RESULTS – BYRON BAY MAGPIES vs. NORTHERN BEACHES

Women: Northern Beaches 1.3 (9) def Byron Bay Magpies 1.1 (7)

Men: Byron Bay Magpies 28.21 (189) def Northern Beaches 2.3 (15)

SAWTELL/TOORMINA’S women’s team sang the club sung with gusto on Saturday after they earned their first win over the Coffs Breakers since the 2019 finals.

The Saints flew out to a 20 point quarter time lead and didn’t let up at Fitzroy Oval.

Seven of the Saints’ nine goals for the match were kicked by teenagers Jamika McAuley-Earnest, Tahahni Berger and Amaia Wain.

The men’s match was typical of a local derby with neither side giving an inch and scores close throughout the contest.

It wasn’t until late in the match that the Coffs Breakers were able to grab the ascendancy both on the ground and most importantly on the scoreboard to win by just 10 points.

RESULTS – COFFS BREAKERS vs. SAWTELL/TOORMINA

Under 18s: Sawtell/Toormina 12.11 (83) def Coffs Breakers 7.4 (46)

Women: Sawtell/Toormina 9.6 (60) def Coffs Breakers 1.3 (9)

Reserves: Coffs Breakers 10.8 (68) def Sawtell/Toormina 3.6 (24)

Men: Coffs Breakers 11.11 (77) def Sawtell/Toormina 9.13 (67)

GRAFTON’S men produced their best performance of the season to decimate an undermanned Port Macquarie outfit.

The final margin of 165 points was the team’s biggest win since thrashing the Casino Lions more than two years ago.

Port Macquarie kicked seven goals for the match and in a lone hand up forward Tom Dickson kicked all seven of the Magpies’ majors.

Blake Noll was the most damaging on the scoreboard for the Tigers with seven goals of his own while Tim Churchin kicked six goals and and Sam Petch five.

The women’s match saw Port Macquarie get a win on the board to stay in second position on the ladder.

Ellie Ryan continued her strong form for the Magpies gathering plenty of possessions in the midfield while Jess Harper was dangerous across the half forward line.

RESULTS – GRAFTON vs. PORT MACQUARIE

Reserves: Port Macquarie 8.10 (58) def Grafton 8.5 (53)

Women: Port Macquarie 10.9 (69) def Grafton 0.0 (0)

Men: Grafton 32.17 (209) def Port Macquarie 7.2 (44)

UPCOMING FIXTURES

GENERAL BYE – SATURDAY, JUNE 10 (KING’S BIRTHDAY WEEKEND)

ROUND 8 – SATURDAY, JUNE 17

PORT MACQUARIE vs. COFFS BREAKERS at Wayne Richards Park, Port Macquarie

(10am – Under 18s, 11.50am – Women, 1.20pm – Reserves, 2.50pm – Men)

NORTHERN BEACHES vs. GRAFTON at Wiigulga Sports Complex, Woolgoolga

(12.20am – Women, 1.50pm – Men)

SAWTELL/TOORMINA vs. BYRON BAY MAGPIES at Richardson Park, Sawtell

(11.20am – Reserves (vs. Nambucca Valley), 12.50pm – Women, 2.20pm – Men)