In Presidents Cup, Glen took an early 20 - 4 lead but then saw Warialda dominate possession for a lengthy period to take what appeared to be a match winning 30 - 20 lead.
But possession swung around late in the match and the Magpies stormed home to snatch a great 36 - 30 win in what the ground announcer described as the best Reserve grade match seen at Warialda for many years.
Half Derek Blair, one of the Magpies’ best, almost scored early after a long run and then put up a bomb that saw fullback Quentin Levy score in the corner. Jamie Watts then raced 65 metres for a great individual try and Blair converted for a 10 - 0 lead.
Blair fooled the defence with a nice ‘show and go’ to set up Marty Cochrane’s strong try from dummy half for 14 - 0. Warialda got on the scoreboard after a couple of Magpie errors but Watts charged at the line from fifteen metres and offloaded superbly for hooker Jason Patterson to score beside the posts. Blair converted for 20 - 4 before Warialda took control and dominated the next half hour.
Glen compounded their problems by failing to find touch from two penalty kicks and conceding a penalty when in possession on the second tackle of a set and only ten metres from the line. When they finally started to get some ball again, Glen launched their counter attack. Prop Robert Towse offloaded nicely to ever-present Watts, the youngster scored near the posts. Blair’s conversion narrowed the gap to four points, 30 - 26.
With about five minutes remaining, Blair chip-kicked from twenty out and Watts re-gathered under extreme pressure to score near the corner. Blair’s conversion attempt shaved the upright but scores were level.
Less than a minute remained went Watts got the ball 35 metres out, stepped past at least four defenders in a great run to the line. The siren went as Blair lined up the conversion to extend Glen’s advantage to six points.
Four-try hero Jamie Watts was undoubtedly the best player on the field.
The Presidents Cup team currently sit at fourth on the competition ladder.
Glen Innes Under 18s got the day off to a bright start with a dominant 40 - 0 win over Warialda.
Glen scored eight tries with doubles going to Michael Adams, Joel Jackson and Mark Mabbott while Tom McCarney and Nick Ehsman also crossed for four-pointers. Jake Turner added four goals, including one great conversion from the corner right on the half time siren.
Glen’s best football came in the first half when they set up the victory and led 28 - 0 at the break.
Ben Perkins turned in his best game of the season; Sam Crossley was a standout in defence while Michael Adams and Mark Mabbott also had fine games for the unbeaten Magpies.The under 18s are a close second on the table behind Inverell.