Tamworth v Albies: Magpies produce shutout win | New England rugby

The Magpies' second win this season means they are one point behind fourth-placed Barbarians with three matches to follow Tamworth's bye next round, before the finals are staged.

Burke regards the timing of the bye as not ideal, given his obvious desire to build momentum.

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But it was pretty much the only negative (along with not playing the full 80 minutes) to pass his lips in a fulsome tribute to his players, who rebounded for a 32-21 last-start loss to Robb College - their seventh defeat of the season.

"The boys really needed a bit of positivity back in their season," he said, "and they really performed well - best game they've played all year by a mile".

The side have always had the character on display on Saturday, the veteran mentor continued.

"They're just a very young football team," he said, "and were thrown together at the start of the season. It's taken them a long time to put long pieces of good play together."

The defeat of Albies, Burke said, "showed just how much heart they do have".

Prop Adam Wallace, he added, had his best game for the club while second-rower Mitch Watts and breakaway Nick Wiseman were also impressive. As was breakaway Jack Barker, who got the three points.

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