A HAT-trick to back Hayden Berry was the highlight of a solid performance from the Gloucester Magpies at home to Clarence Town on Saturday.
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The Magpies ran out comfortable victors, 46-18, against their southern rivals in a welcome return to form for coach Mick Kellehear’s side.
Needing a victory to stay in touch with the competition’s leaders, the Magpies started poorly with Clarence Town rocketing out of the blocks to lead 12-nil early in the first half.
Tries to Todd Ritter and Kyle Predebon saw the Magpies claw the score back to 12-all at half-time.
Kellehear called on his players to lift during his half-time coach’s address and they duly delivered, with Berry scoring the opening two tries of the second half.
Clarence Town hit back with a four-pointer of their own to make it 24-18, but tries to prop Simon Hitchcock and winger Ethan Taylor put the result beyond doubt.
Berry completed his hat-trick and forward Mathew Higgins put the icing on the cake for the Magpies with a late four-pointer.
The win means Gloucester maintains its top three position on the Newcastle Hunter Rugby League D grade ladder.
The Magpies play Abermain away in round 10 of the competition on Saturday, June 14. There is no match this Saturday due to the June long weekend.
- The injury-hit Gloucester Cockies will welcome a well-earned break with a general bye in the Lower Mid North Coast Rugby competition thanks to the long weekend.
The Cockies were forced to forfeit their round five match against the Manning River Ratz on Saturday as the club struggles to come to terms with injuries to several key players.
The Cockies face last year’s premiers the Forster Dolphins in their next match at home on June 14.
