In the world of Yass Magpies rugby league, two semi-final clashes on a single weekend became a testament to heart, grit, and the relentless spirit of a club battling against the odds. While the scoreboard didn’t fall their way, the story of these two games is one of defiant defence and a promising future.
The Women’s Battle: A Brave Stand
The Katrina Fanning Shield minor elimination semi-final was a narrative defined by resilience.
The Yass Magpies women’s team, hit hard by injuries throughout the season, entered the game with just 15 players against a full-strength Woden Valley Rams squad boasting a bench of seven.
It was a mismatch on paper, but on the field, the Magpies refused to be intimidated.
The early minutes were a tense, physical exchange. The Magpies’ defence, despite being outnumbered, held strong, a testament to the growth of a team that included many first-year players.
Their line speed and courage in the face of a rotating, fresh-legged Rams team were commendable.
The Magpies even took an early lead, a moment of sheer triumph born from their tenacity. However, as the game wore on and the fatigue began to set in, the Rams’ advantage in personnel became evident.
The Rams’ attack, fuelled by their ability to constantly rotate fresh players into the fray, eventually broke through. Magdalena Velovski, India Dyball, and Lara Cosgrove each found their way across the try line, a testament to the consistent pressure their full squad could apply.
Despite the Magpies’ best efforts, they simply ran out of steam. Kaitlyn Andrews was the lone try scorer for Yass, a moment of individual brilliance that highlighted their fighting spirit.
The final score of 16-4 wasn’t a true reflection of the battle fought on the field. The Magpies, despite missing five key players from their championship-winning side last year, put on a brave display. They proved they were not only competitive but a force to be reckoned with, even when the odds were stacked against them.
The Reserve Grade Grudge Match: A Modern-Day Classic
The Reserve Grade major semi-final between the Yass Magpies and the Gungahlin Bulls was a throwback to rugby league’s golden age.
This wasn’t a game of flashy plays or wide-open attack; it was a brutal, old-style grind fought in the trenches.
For the first 70 minutes, the two teams were locked in a stalemate, with the ball rarely venturing beyond the middle of the field.
It was a war of attrition, with both forward packs laying it all on the line.
The Magpies’ defence held firm, their line speed and disciplined tackling mirroring the intensity of their opponents.
Yass looked to have the upper hand at times, dominating possession and territory, but a series of uncharacteristic errors and a few ill-timed penalties began to shift the momentum.
The Bulls, a team with a knack for capitalising on their opponents’ mistakes, smelled blood.
The final ten minutes of the game unravelled for Yass. The Bulls’ attack, which had been contained for so long, finally found its rhythm.
Lachie Armstrong proved to be the difference-maker, bagging a late double that broke the Magpies’ resolve. Blake Morschel, Semsi Rogoyawa, and Kai Pennay also crossed for Gungahlin, turning a tight contest into a comprehensive 24-6 victory. While the scoreboard looked lopsided, it didn’t tell the full story.
The Magpies’ lone try, scored and converted by captain Shaun Davis, was a moment of pride in a tough loss.
Now, the Magpies Reserve Grade team finds itself on a familiar path. After being knocked out in the first round of the finals last year, they have a shot at redemption.
They’ll face the Tuggeranong Bushrangers in a do-or-die elimination final.
As Coaching Director Anthony Vitler noted, the team’s progression is undeniable—from fourth last year to second this season. With key players like Timmy McPhillips, Andrew Smith, and Liam Graham leading the charge, they are a young and hungry team ready to prove themselves.
They know what they need to do: shore up their defence, execute their game plan, and play with the same heart and tenacity that defined their season.
For the Yass Magpies, the story is far from over.
– Tully Potts
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