The Toner Express Yass Magpies under 18s soared back into finals contention with a thrilling 28-26 win over competition leaders Queanbeyan Blues. Down 18-0, the junior Magpies swooped on their more fancied rivals to reignite their season in front of an impressed West Belconnen Leagues Club crowd.

Starved of possession in the opening 20 minutes, the Magpies battled bravely to stay in the game. The entire forward pack was working overtime to repel the constant attacking raids of their much bigger opponents.

With only four minutes to go before the break, Matt Freeman scored the Magpies opening points. Showing the poise of a trapeze artist, Freeman stretched to gather a Dane Snowden kick and score in the corner.

As half time siren sounded ‘Nitro’ Nick Pollack scooped up a Blues kick and raced 85 metres to score under the posts and reduce the Magpies deficit to six.

The Blues made an error from the restart of play and the Magpies punished them when Matt Freeman crossed for his second try.

Shortly after, the Blues countered with a try of their own to lead 22-16, but the Magpies were not to be outdone. After several good passages of lead up play, Dane Snowden burrowed over from dummy-half to level the scores at 22 apiece.

With eight minutes remaining, the Blues regained the lead with an unconverted try and looked set for victory.

However, showing the spirit that has been missing in previous weeks, the Magpies again rallied with Judd Sherratt spearing through the defence to put Dave Simpson in for the game levelling try.

With three minutes left on the clock, Matt Freeman calmly slotted the conversion to give the Magpies a memorable victory.

The entire squad played well. The forwards, led by Brad Wylie and Ben Warner were tenacious against their much bigger opponents. As the game went on they grew in confidence, which led to more incisive runs, better field position and room for the backs to move.

Judd Sherratt was strong in defence and attack, Dane Snowden and Henry Paton orchestrated play well and Matt Freeman played strongly.

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Yass Magpies 18s 28 [Freeman 2, Pollack, Snowden, D Simpson tries; Freeman 4 conversions] defeated Queanbeyan Blues 18s 26.