Magpies pip Seagulls in seesawing affair

The Magpies ran in six tries to four, but Seagulls head coach Spencer Taplin said the win was well within Tweed’s reach.

“We beat ourselves in the game with individual errors and penalties which gave them the field position to capitalise on that and put points on the board,” Taplin said.

That’s how the scoring was opened, but it wasn’t until more than halfway through the first half that the frenzy of tries would start, beginning when Souths lock Sera Koroi broke through the Seagulls defensive line.

The Magpies forward pack hit Tweed again, with Jasmine Fogavini making her way over the line less than five minutes later.

But the Seagulls responded; Chantay Kiria-Ratu showing her class on the edge and adding the first four points to the board for Tweed.

After a successful conversion from Karli Hansen right on the stroke of halftime, the Seagulls trailed by just two points.

But Souths wasted no time to extend their lead even further, forward Tyesha Mikaio crossing just five minutes into the second half.

The run of tries continued and a four-pointer from Tweed playmaker Jada Ferguson kept the Gulls in the contest, and another conversion by Hansen levelled the score at 12-12.

But it didn’t stay that way for long. Souths skipper Frieda Seu put her side back in front by four just two minutes later.

Shannon Mato made an impact off the bench in the front row for Tweed, making her way over the line three minutes later.

Hansen was on fire with the boot and slotted another successful conversion, putting the Seagulls ahead by two.

Souths Logan responded in fine fashion, with Mackenzie Baty-Karauria putting the Magpies back in front by two.

But Tweed got the ball out wide to Alani Sullivan on the wing who crossed with just eight minutes of play remaining.

Tweed were in front by two and looked to have the victory sealed, but Souths weren’t finished yet. Forward Fogavini crossed for the match winner with just three minutes remaining, putting the Magpies back in front by two at fulltime.

Taplin said while the result didn’t always swing the Seagulls way, Tweed won plenty of battles off the field this season.

“The girls know we are building something great and it’s obviously going to take some time to get that foundation right," Taplin said.

“We spoke about the culture together after the game and the connection and growth we have built in our women’s program this year."

While Tweed and Souths Logan won't be part of the action, the BMD Premiership finals kick off next weekend.