Magpies Topple Another Queensland
Cup Giant

THE new-look Souths Logan Magpies have claimed the scalp of the Burleigh Bears in one of the Club?s most successful pre-seasons to date.

The Queensland Cup team toppled the Bears in a trial match on Friday night at Pizzey Park on the Gold Coast, beating the renowned Bears 24-18.

Souths looked promising against the Bears right from the beginning of the match when prize hooker Zeb Kyle crossed for a try after a smooth inside pass from captain Jace Van Dijk.

The Magpies led 24-12 at half time and, although they remained scoreless in the second half, the team managed to superbly fend off assaults on their line with courage and character.

Although Coach Anthony Griffin said there was room for improvement in the side?s second-half performance, he was impressed with the physicality of the match.

?I was really happy just with the physical side of the game the way we played because Burleigh are notorious for out-muscling sides or have been in the past and I think we stood up to that fairly well,?? he said.

Coach Griffin noted the strong performances of props Darren Glase and Zeb Dewson as well as Ben Watt, Stan Fau and Aaron Lewis, who performed well in his first match for the Queensland Cup side.

Bob Blair, whose confidence grows with each match, has established himself as a player to watch this year, along with Cameron Joyce who put in a solid performance despite illness on Friday night.

In yet another sign of Souths? strong off-season recruiting program, the Club is awaiting the return of two of its promising players Josh Dillon and Kevin Prior, this weekend.

Coach Anthony Griffin is now in the enviable position of having two strong contenders to fill the first grade hooker position ? Daniel Irvine and Zeb Kyle.

Souths also performed admirably in the lower teams with the Colts in a 14-all draw and the Mixwell Cup A-grade team in a 12-all draw against the Bears on Saturday night.

MAGPIES HAVE TIGERS IN THEIR SIGHTS

SOUTHS? next target is the Southport Tigers.

The top three teams will clash with the Tigers in Southport this Saturday night with games starting from 4.30pm.

Coach Griffin said there would be a lot riding on the team?s final trial match for the pre-season.

?It?s our last chance to rehearse for the start of the season it?s our last trial so we?ve got to shave our squad a bit again to get towards our starting 17,?? he said.

?So the players will be getting a bit more time and we?ll be working a bit more on teamwork.??

The abundance of talent secured by the Souths Logan Magpies at pre-season training will benefit the second division clubs associated with the club.

As the Magpies work to finalise their teams, the coaching staff and management are keen to see those players not secured for first division duties join affiliate second division teams so their performance can be monitored by the Club.

ANOTHER RAIDER HEADS NORTH TO JOIN SOUTHS

SOUTHS Logan Magpies are proud to announce the signing of yet another NRL-quality player.

Alwyn Simpson, a former centre ? for the Canberra Raiders will head north this year to join the fray at Souths.