The Macksville Sea Eagles suffered their third defeat of the season last Sunday at Advocate Park when they were defeated 32-14 by the Coffs Harbour Comets.
After moving to be a part of a three-way share of the top of the table, the Eagles were keen to get the two points from this match, but in the end the Comets’ desire to force their way into the top five proved just that much stronger.
The opening 15 minutes saw neither team able to dominate the other, before the Eagles were the first to score.
Djaan Jarrett went on a charging run from about 20 metres out, only to be brought down millimetres from the line.
From the play-the-ball, Neville Donovan fired a long pass to James Collison, who then set sail for the line, carrying a defender over to score. Michael Ronan kicked the goal and the Eagles led 6-0.
The Eagles lead was short-lived, however, as the Comets began to pressure the Eagles’ line, and the Eagles put themselves under more pressure with dropped balls.
The Comets capitalised on their possession with two converted tries to give them a 12-6 lead before Tyler Searle set up and scored the Eagles’ second try.
On the last tackle close to the line, Searle found himself with the ball and stepped through two defenders before chipping the ball forward.
Just as the Comets players seemed to have the ball covered, Searle regathered it and put the ball down to see the half-time scoreline read Coffs 12, Macksville 10.
The Eagles were now back in the game, but again the Comets were to prove the more eager.
The Comets put constant pressure on the Macksville line, while the Eagles themselves struggled to get out of their own quarter.
The Comets crossed for four tries in the second half, while the Eagles were only able to score the one four-pointer when Jesse McEwen pounced on a ball from a Ronan bomb, which the Coffs players couldn’t handle.
Indiscipline cost the Eagles dearly in this game, with three players sin-banned during the game and a fourth player sent off, while the penalty count against the Eagles was large.
The reserve grade clash looked like being a real disappointment for the Eagles’ club when they were short of players, but with three first-graders playing double games and two Under-18s also backing up, the Eagles managed their second win of the season, defeating the Comets 12-6.
Tyler Searle was the first to score for the Eagles, giving them an early 4-0 lead. The Comets struck back, but this lead was short-lived when Andrew Blair ran onto a great ball from Nev Donovan to give the Eagles an 8-6 lead at the break.
The second half, which seemed to be the longest reserve grade half ever in Group 2, saw the Comets cross the line three times, only to be held up by the determined Eagles’ defence.
In the end, Cameron Knox finished off a good set of passes begun by Owen Blair, charging into the Comets’ players to see the Eagles take out the match 12-6.
The Under-18s match saw the Eagles run out winners literally on the bell, winning the game 18-16.
Tyler Doolan set up the Eagles’ first try, which was scored by Trent Lynch. Doolan converted and the Eagles led 6-0.
Late in the half, the Comets scored a converted try to lock the scores up at 6-all at the break, and then two quick tries after the break saw the Comets lead 16-6.
Midway through the half, Will Ghilotti made a strong run close to the line, only to see the ball knocked from his hands by a Comets’ defender.
Recognising what had happened, Jake Fuller toed the ball forward, followed through, and grounded the ball to score. Doolan converted to reduce the Comets’ lead to 16-12.
Will Ghilotti was the saviour for the Eagles, scoring a runaway try in the corner within seconds of the full-time hooter. Doolan calmly converted the try from the side-line and the Eagles won the game 18-16.
The Eagles will attempt to get back in the winners’ circle in first grade this weekend, when they take on the Bellingen Magpies at Allan Gillett Oval on Saturday.
Supporters are reminded that this will be a big day for the Sea Eagles, with reunions of the 1979 first grade and F-troop premiership winning team, and the 1987 Under-18s premiers.
The Under-18s will kick off at noon, so all supporters are asked to be at the ground the cheer on their past and present heroes.
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