The Sawtell Panthers proved too strong for the Macksville Sea Eagles last Sunday at Allan Gillett Oval in winning their first premiership in 31 years by defeating the Eagles by the narrowest of margins, 21-20.
The game was played before one of the biggest crowds seen at a Group 2 game, with the gate takings being $20,227 on the day, and while the large number of Macksville supporters at the game were disappointed with the result they would have been thrilled by an exciting game.
As the teams entered the field they were cheered on by long lines of supporters decorated with bunting, flags and costumes in team colours.
Michael Donovan then led the crowd in the singing of the national anthem, and as he finished both teams took their positions for the kick-off.
The early stages of the game saw the Eagles gradually take charge of the game when Chris Martin crashed though two tacklers and then sprinted 30 metres. As the cover defence caught up with him Martin found the evergreen Nev Donovan looming up on his inside and sent him the ball to race away to score out wide.
The Eagles now led 4-0, but soon after the Panthers struck back when Ryan Tutenelo crossed for a try that was converted by Jeremy Wood to give the Panthers a 6-4 lead.
Macksville was next to score minutes after Garry Jarrett entered the field. Thirty metres from the line and with little happening Jarrett took a pass and broke through the defenders.
Just as the Panthers recovered, Jarrett found Djaan Jarrett charging through the inside. Jarrett sent him the ball and Djaan raced through before finding Garry backing up inside, passing him the ball and watching Garry score. Mick Ronan converted and the Eagles led 10-6.
The Eagles looked set to dominate the game, but instead they fell into errors that would cost them dearly. With glut of possession in the letter stages of the half, the Panthers began to establish what would turn into a match-winning lead.
Three unanswered tries to Adam Louden, Mark Pledger and Dan Waterson and a conversion by Wood saw the Panthers lead 20-10 at half-time.
For the Eagles to have any chance of winning the match they had to be the first scorers in the second half, and they were.
Fifteen minutes into the half Captain/Coach Neville Donovan ran across field close to the line before off-loading to Garry Jarrett.
Jarrett then dummied a run around with Donovan before charging ahead and, as the defenders were dragging him down, he off-loaded a great ball to Martin who crashed over the line. Ronan converted and the Eagles had reduced the Panthers lead to 20-16.
The Eagles continued to mount pressure on the Panthers, but mistakes at important times broke down their continuity. Nine minutes from the end of the game the Eagles’ pressure finally told when the Panthers dropped the ball ten metres from their line.
First David Pickvance went close to scoring before being brought down close to the line, then Grant Collison charged into the defenders only to be brought down short.
Jesse McEwen went to dummy half, took a step back, seemed to circle left then ran through a hole to score a try, which locked the scores up at 20-all.
The crowd became even more involved in the action, both teams being loudly supported in attack and defence.
With four minutes to go Sawtell Captain/Coach Rohan Louden kicked the field goal that broke the deadlock and the Sawtell supporters could sense their approaching victory.
The Macksville players were not prepared to surrender the match just yet however, and the final moments of the game saw some outstanding attack and defence.
As the final siren sounded the Eagles were deep in the Panthers’ quarter, and an attacking raid saw Luke Cartwright pulled up a devastating matter of millimetres short of scoring.
Referee Nathan Grace then blew the full time whistle and the Sawtell supporters raced onto the field to celebrate their first team to win a grand final in 31 years.
The reserve grade clash saw the Port Macquarie Sharks take out the major premiership with a 26-18 victory over Woolgoolga.
Supporters are advised that the Club Presentation Night will be on October 10 at the Nambucca Hotel. Details regarding tickets will be available shortly.
Email a friend