Sunday's away clash against the Tweed Seagulls was a tough afternoon for the Magpies, who found themselves behind early and never quite managed to wrestle back.
The Seagulls were first to strike, Jensen Taumoepeau finishing off a line break inside seven minutes. The Magpies hit back through Mitchell Owen in the 19th minute, keeping themselves in the contest at 4-8, but it proved to be a brief foothold. Zane Harrison and Allan Fitzgibbon both crossed before the break, with Tweed going to the sheds leading 20-4 and firmly in the driver's seat.
The second half brought more of the same. Harrison crossed again early, and further tries to Malakhi Donovan and Shannon Gardiner put the result beyond doubt. To their credit, the Magpies kept fighting. Kingstimer Paraia broke through in the 60th minute, and Preston Riki capped the afternoon with a line break try in the final minute but by then the scoreboard read 36-12.
A difficult day to reflect on, and one the group will want to put behind them. The Magpies have shown across the first five rounds that the character and fight are there now it's about bringing it together.