The Rams are now equal fourth again with the Ashford Roosters after the Roosters gave the Moree Boomerangs a scare.

The Boomies won 44-36 but trailed in the first half.

Warialda Wombats also kept their faint hopes alive with a 40-28 win over Guyra Spuds at Guyra Sporting Complex while the Inverell Hawks paid homage to their Old Boys with a 48-18 win over 12-man Moree Boars at Varley Oval.

At Armidale, the Magpies started well against the Rams when big centre Craig Browne scored in the third minute for Ben Vidler to convert from the sideline.

Play swept from end to end as both teams found plenty of attacking space.

Armidale grabbed the next two tries through the efforts of centre Alistair Faulkner and prop Semi Rarawa to run to a 10-6 advantage before the visitors hit back with a strong try to second-rower Jeff Moate after some brilliant attacking play from the outside backs.

 Then Armidale’s outstanding English fullback, Jordan Wakefield, scored a fine try and converted for a 16-12 lead.

But Glen’s winger Ace Hollis scored a nice try just prior to the break, which Vidler converted for a two-point lead.

The evenly-balanced tussle was blown aside when Armidale scored four converted tries in the opening sixteen minutes of the second stanza.

 Veteran Fred Waters was instrumental in several breaks made by the Rams during this period.

While Walters has lost the svelte figure of the past, his electrifying pace is still a major factor for any defence he encounters. 

In a brief period, the Rams had skipped out to a 40-18 lead and the match was, to all intents, decided with 24 minutes left.

Glen tried to fight back but tries to Moate and Hollis were offset by three more to the home team and the advantage was extended.

Wakefield was outstanding, with a try and eight goals bringing a personal tally of twenty points while the Rams were also well served by prop Rarawa, lock Gary Quinlan, who scored a try and gave away another to hooker Aaron Fox, plus coach Clarrie Moran, Waters and  Faulkner.

The effort of the Magpies was consistent with that of the rest of the season – some excellent football in amongst some very ordinary play characterised by poor defence.

Coach Nick Ehsman described it as “disappointing – the effort was there at times but we ran out of troops.

“We are carrying so many injuries,” he said. 

“We started well and I suppose we played twenty minutes of good footy – if that.”

Moate’s double was his best recent game while  Hollis also bagged a double in a spirited display. 

Centre Matt Crowhurst tried hard as did props Brady Willis and Brendan Jillett.

 Under 18s player Robbie Hamel created a great impression with a full-hearted defensive effort after a fine effort in the earlier game.