Six points was the difference between the MacIntyre Warriors and the Glen Innes Magpies in Sunday’s showdown at Mead Park.
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For the hosts, the match-up with last year’s grand finalists was a chance to see how they measured up against one the competition’s top sides.
The game delivered, with the Magpies never out of touch with the 2016 runners-up throughout.
"It was really pleasing,” Glen Innes coach Nick Ehsman said. "We hung in there right until the 80th minute which is what we planned to do and knew we had to do.
"They got a couple of lucky tries too.
"We spoke at training, they are the benchmark this year so to know where we are at now is very pleasing.”
It could have been a different scoreline if not for the Glen Innes persistence.
The Warriors hit an early 14-nil lead thanks to a Malcolm McGrady double followed up by a William Beale try.
Magpies’ Nick Say found the line to put the home side on the board.
The visitors extended their lead to 20-6 prior the halftime break but couldn’t put the Group 19 returnees away.
Jayden Ehsman and Chris Pedlow added four-pointers to reduce the margin to four but MacIntyre extended again through McGrady.
Adam Morris hit back for Glen Innes before Pedlow secured his second to level the scoreline to 26-all after the Warriors had two players sent off.
MacIntyre had the final say as Beale crossed for his double to edge out the hosts 32-26.
Despite the loss, Ehsman was elated to be close to equal with his opponents and said it indicated the side are not far off being title contenders.
"It is just general stuff, the ball handling and the one percenters, I think we need to work on but that is always going to happen.
"The ball handling, just completing sets, that will win you matches.
"We had our chances as well and didn't take them.
"We did a lot of things right as well.
"We have only played together three times so it is definitely a work in progress but by the end of the year we are going to be double the side that we are now so I am looking forward to it.”
The Group takes a break again this weekend for the Greater Northern championships to be held in Armidale this Saturday.
The Magpies then head to Warialda the following week for a clash with the Wombats.