Six tries in two games.
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That’s how 16-year-old Jayden Ehsman’s first grade resume reads after he played a match winning role for the Glen Innes Magpies in their 44-28 defeat of the Armidale Rams at Mead Park on Saturday.
A spot in the Group 19 major semi-final is now only one win away for the Magpies after the come from behind victory.
It was a tremendous day for the Magpies club as a whole with all three sides in action registering big wins.
The Magpie first grade side battled handling errors in wet and windy conditions in the first half, but rebounded with a sensational second half to steamroll the Rams.
Mone Loketi was named man of the match for a barnstorming performance in the front row.
He opened the scoring for the Magpies inside the first 10 minutes to give the home side a 6-nil lead.
Armidale scored the next two tries through hooker Jamie Smith and second rower Cam Mundy to grab a 12-6 lead.
Adam McPhillips steamed on to a terrific ball from Nick Ehsman in the 20th minute and Jock Waters added the extras to level the scores.
Armidale the again scored two quick tries through Smith and centre Shaun Cox to regain the lead.
Magpie lock Adam Upton swooped on a loose ball on the stroke of half time.
With Waters again adding the extras, the Magpies trailed 22-18 at the break.
A Clarrie Moran 40-20 in the first set after half time resulted in Mitch Cooper strolling over for the Rams from the ensuing quick tap and the Rams were up 28-18.
These would be the last points the Rams would score as the Magpies ran in five unanswered tries.
The first was to Jayden Ehsman after some smart blind side play from player-coach Sam Key.
Craig Browne added to his ever growing try scoring tally shortly after with an individual effort from 40 metres out.
With 13 minutes to go the Ehsman brothers teamed up to give the Magpies back the lead after Jayden swept around the back of older brother Nick who delivered a perfect pass.
Loketi added his second try with six minutes to go and when the Ehsman brothers produced an almost identical play to their first try scoring effort shortly after the Magpies were home.
Key said he was pleased with the character his side showed after a lacklustre opening 40 minutes.
“Full credit to Armidale in the first half,” he said.
“They kept us coming out of our own end and forced some wet weather mistakes.
Key said Upton was again outstanding at lock and also paid tribute to Loketi and Jayden Ehsman for their try scoring efforts.
The Magpie reserves produced one of their finest efforts of the season to hammer the Rams 56-6.
After a slow start, the Magpies kicked into gear and ran riot in the second half.
Matt Crowhurst scored two tries in his return from injury to go with four pointers from Ace Holliss, Travis Patterson, Nick Lehman, Toby Shannon, Aaron Jones, DJ Patterson and Dylan Ferris, while man of the match Lehman booted seven goals and Ferris knocked over one.
The Magpie league-tag girls also started slow, but came home strong in the second half to win 24-6.
Audrey Levy, Megan Fuller, Amelia Tunamena, Maddi Cook and Kate Fakes crossed for tries and Shannan Marchant booted two goals.
Fiona Williamson wan named player of the match for her efforts.
This weekend the Magpies travel to Tingha for matches in all four grades.