The Bellingen Valley Dorrigo Magpies had their first win of the season over the Orara Valley Axeman at Bellingen park on Saturday. Sloppy ball handling had let them down in their first two games of the season, but there was a major improvement in this and this led to the big win. In addition, strong defence had the Axeman on the back foot right from the starting whistle, this defence led to a few injured Orara players not being able to finish the game, as well as a send-off meant that for a majority of the second half they only had one reserve, to their credit they kept trying.
The addition of several players from Dorrigo in the last few weeks has strengthened the Bellingen team, however the loss of front rowers in last year’s player of the year Jake Turner and Ross Calhoun has meant a depletion in this area.
In the end the Magpies ran away with the game 64 to 12 which should give them more confidence in their upcoming games. Next Saturday they play Lower Macleay at Smithtown.
Bellingen Valley Dorrigo 64 tries to Warren Craig 3, Zach Young 2, Blake O’Connor 2, Liam Cook , Ryan Miller, Kynan Wetherall , Lochie French and Riley Spokes 1, goals Seth Martin 8.
Orara 12 tries to Mitch McCauley and Michael O’Connor, goals Michael O’Connor 2
