The Dallas Magpies were able to hold off the late charging Number 7 Orange County Bombers in Richardson TX on Saturday (April 26 2008). The win retains Dallas’ unbeaten record in 2008 and their first against a ranked opponent.

In what was anticipated to be a tough game from the get go, the large crowd wasn’t disappointed and both sides attacked the ball with fierce determination and fire. Dallas had the first scoring opportunity but a tight OC defense cleared the ball and rebounded quickly to put their first goal on the board. In a hard fought quarter where nothing was given by either team Dallas managed to kick 2 goals thanks to some fine work out of the mid-field. The quarter ended with Dallas holding a 1 goal lead 2.3 (15) to 1.3 (9).

The second quarter belonged to the home side as they managed to put away 3.3 to the Bombers 1.1. Through some clever forward line play the pies managed to build on their lead. The Bombers never gave in and continued their threatening style of play into the forward line. Going into the main break, it was a confident Dallas team leading by 20 points, that had benefited from their fast, running style of play and had opened up the game. The half-time score had Dallas with a comfortable lead 5.6 (36) to 2.4 (16).

The premiership quarter was one for the record books as the OC Bombers threw everything they had at the home side and began edging their way back into the game. The OC players seemed to have had injected new life back into their running game and kicked 3 unanswered goals and were right back in the game. Dallas managed to settle the ship and kick 2 of their own for the quarter but were out played and out scored by 4 goals to 2, bridging the gap to only 7 points heading into the final 20 minutes. The scores were 7.7 (49) to 6.6 (42).

Combating the OC comeback, the Magpies lifted in the last quarter and made some strategic moves that saw Jared Ray move to a key position and stop dead any forward advances. He was instrumental in transitioning the ball from the defensive half up to the forward line. As the final siren sounded the magpies had held off a second half attack from the visitors and continued their home field winning streak. Dallas home by 19 points. The final scores were Dallas 10.8 (68) to OC 7.7 (49).

Dallas: Steve Cassity 2, Steve Moore 2, Taylor Howard 2, Stuart Rackham 1, Jess Wortman 1, Justin Sullivan 1, Cam Braithwait 1.

Orange County: Paul Lindley 3, Chris Oliver 3, Josh DeBlank 1.

Dallas: Steve Moore, Jared Ray, Taylor Howard, Duncan Relf, Jess Wortman, Robbie Rothlein, Brenn Miller.

Orange County: Josh DeBlank, Kelly Nelson, Frederik Schulin, Corey Irwin, RJ Mezza.

FIELD UMPIRES: Ross McLaren, Rhett Rohde

Editor Note: It was the last for Magpies Coach and former Captain, Rackham who ended a 20-year football career, of which 8 were with the Magpies.