North Whyalla won a closely contested encounter by 13 points with arch rivals West Whyalla, in the annual McInerney/Robran Shield, to consolidate their spot in the four at the Memorial Oval on Saturday.

In a torrid game, reminiscent of tough games played between these two great rivals in the 60s and 70s, the Magpies held on from the fast finishing, previously unbeaten, Dragons to give captain Chad Menzies, who was playing his 100th league game, a game he will not forget in a hurry.

The game started with the Magpies kicking to their clubroom end, aided by a three to four goal breeze, after Menzies won the toss.

The Magpies were quickly into attack, kicking the first two goals of the game, before Blake Symons replied with the Dragon’s first, which was against the run of play.

North were constantly looking for ‘ace’ full forward Nick Prokopec, but he was well held by Westie’s fullback, Aaron Smith, who was wearing him as a second skin.

However, the Magpies found other players to kick goals and held a handy 28 point lead at the first break, with the scores being 5-5 to 1-1.

The big crowd at the game, although the Dragons would run away with it in the second quarter, kicking with the wind, but the Magpies had other ideas, kicking the first two goals of the quarter to extend their lead.

It was not until the last half of the quarter, before Westies got going, as they kicked the last four goals of the quarter to reduce the deficit at half time to only 14 points.

The third quarter was not pretty football as players from both sides threw everything into the contest, with only two goals being kicked (both by Norths) and the Dragons being held scoreless for a quarter, which would be the first time for well over a season and a half with the Magpies holding a good 29 point lead at the last break, but the Dragons were coming home with the breeze.

The Dragons attacked relentlessly, trying to reduce the deficit, but the resolute Magpies’ defence was holding firm.

Westies finally found a way though the defence and with only two minutes left, their lead was only seven points.

However, they held firm and ran the ball forward to seal it with a goal to Scott Daly, winning by 14points, with the final scores being 10.10 to 8.8.

Best on ground and winner of the McInerney/Robran medal, was the Dragon’s veteran Anthony Manfield, who roamed the ground tirelessly, taking marks at will and setting up many plays for his forwards.

Special mention must go to Dragon’s full-back Aaron Smith, who held the dangerous Prokopec to three goals and wore him like a glove all game, with other good players being Nick Tzantzoglou, Wesley McLean, Kode Patterson, Blake Symons and Nathan Grzona.

For the victors, Josh Trezise was brilliant, milestone player and captain Chad Menzies played his usual creative game, with defender Nathan Wohling coming into his own when the opposition applied the pressure.

Others to play well were Luke Seymour, Nathan Preiss and Chris Beaty.

Under first season coach David ‘Freddy’ Freeman, the Magpies have improved immensely.

They play with flair when they are allowed to, with Freeman instilling a hardness to his charges, allowing them to shut down opposition sides when the need arises.

Although the Dragons lost their first game of the season they went down fighting, as it was a hard, tough game they will only get better for the experience of playing in a close match.