The Macksville Sea Eagles took out the inaugural Caleb Jarrett Memorial Trophy when they defeated the Nambucca Heads Roosters first grade squad by 72-16 last Sunday at Allan Gillett Oval.
The win also ensures the Macksville first grade a place in the top three as the Group 2 competition heads into the final weekend of the regular competition, with the Eagles part of a three way split for first position with Port Macquarie and Sawtell.
The Eagles were keen to get a big score in this game, with the real probability that for-and-against will decide the final three placing, and this showed when Tyler Searle crossed for the first try in the first set of six on the back of a great break by Djaan Jarrett. Michael Ronan converted and Macksville led 6-0.
While the Eagles were keen to score points as quickly as possible the Roosters players appeared just as keen to stop them, and when James Livock crashed through the Eagles’ defence and Joseph Blair converted the try, the scores were locked at six-all.
Luke Cartwright scored next for the Eagles, running on to a great pass from Neville Donovan, and Ronan again converted for the Eagles to lead 12-6, but the Eagles continued to put pressure on themselves and the Roosters capitalised on this to score two tries, one to Kade Welsh and the other to Brian Chapman, with Blair converting one try to see the Roosters lead 16-12 half way through the first half.
After that the Eagles seemed to click into gear, especially when Jesse McEwen put Duane Button into a gap to see him run 70 metres to score and Ronan converted for the Eagles to lead 18-16.
From there the Eagles took control of the game, running in two tries through Ronan and Cartwright scoring his second, with Ronan converting both tries for the Eagles to lead 30-16 at the break.
Whatever Coach Donovan said to his charges at half time clearly had an impact on the Eagles as they came out for the second half with renewed vigour in defence and dominance in attack that was lacking in the first half.
David Pickvance opened the second half, running on to a great cut-out ball from Ronan to race 30 metres to score a try, which Ronan converted for the Eagles to take a 36-16 lead.
From there the Eagles ran in another seven tries, with Ronan converting five of them. Button blitzed the opposition for a further two long-range tries using his pace, while Stephen Kim matched his efforts with three well-deserved tries of his own.
Kim was responsible for the try of the day when he attempted an intercept only metres from his own line, bouncing the ball two metres forward before regathering it and sprinting down the sideline before the cover came close.
As he was about to be tackled, Kim lobbed the ball overhead to replacement Kane Lewis, who stepped the last defender and raced over the line to score.
Jesse McEwen scored the final try of the match, running on to a ball that Button had chipped ahead, to cross under the post with the bell ringing in the background. Ronan converted the try and the Eagles had run out winners by 72-18.
The win guarantees the Macksville first grade a spot in the top three, along with other results on the day, though their final position will be decided by the results of this weekend’s games.
The Under-18s clash saw the Roosters juniors run out winners in an entertaining game by 34-18.
The Eagles were the first to score when Michael Kelly ran on to a great ball from Tyler Doolan to score close to the posts. Doolan converted and the Eagles led 6-0.
Michael Ryan levelled the scores soon after, and from there the Roosters dominated the scoring, running out to a 22-6 lead before the Eagles scored again through Jake Fuller, then Braden Fitzgerald converted to reduce the Rooster’s lead to 22-12.
The Eagles were in again soon after through Matt Tyerman, and when Fitzgerald converted the try, the Roosters’ lead was reduced to 22-18.
That was as close as the Eagles got, however, as the Rooster ran in two
converted tries to run out winners by 34-18.
The first game of the day was a special occasion for the spectators that turned up early as the Bowraville Under-14s took on and defeated the Nambucca Heads Under-14s by 30-28.
This was probably the most exciting game of the day, not only because of the closeness of the scores but also because of the talent and ability displayed by the players from both clubs.
Withplayers like these to come through the ranks, the future success of both senior clubs is assured.
This weekend sees the Sea Eagles play host to the Macleay Valley Mustangs in three grades, with the Under-18s set to kick off at noon at Allan Gillett Oval.
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