The Woolgoolga Seahorses proved to be too strong for the Macksville Sea Eagles last Sunday, at Woolgoolga Oval, running out winners 48-16.
From the start of this game the Eagles seemed to be unable to re-capture the outstanding form they showed on the previous weekend.
Woolgoolga’s form clearly belied their position on the table. In fact it was the Seahorses who got away to a quick-fire start, scoring two tries to go to a 10-0 lead, seemingly before the Eagles were able to react.
Even at this early stage the Woolgoolga defence was too strong for the Eagles’ attack. The Macksville team were unable to get into any sort of attacking zone.
At the same time the Seahorse’s forwards seemed to be rolling relentlessly through the Eagles’ players, playing a style of football that was simple yet effective enough, to see the Woolgoolga team go to a 20-0 lead before the Eagles finally got on the board.
When the Eagles finally got into an attacking position they were quick to take advantage, with Edgar Cowell sparking an attacking raid, that ended with Lester Holten crossing out wide to see the half-time score-line read Woolgoolga 20, Macksville 4.
The Eagles’ supporters still had hopes of a comeback, but when the second-half opened with the Woolgoolga team crossing for two quick converted tries their hopes were quickly dashed, and a third try saw the Seahorses leading 38-4.
When the Eagles finally got into an attacking position, in this half, they were again quick to act, especially after receiving a penalty on the line.
Two play the balls later, Neville Donovan ran wide before passing to replacement Andrew Blair. Blair raced through the first-line of defence and, as the cover grabbed him, turned the ball back to Donovan who strolled over for a try. Donovan converted, and the score was Woolgoolga 38, Macksville 10.
The Eagles went on the attack again almost immediately and, from a drop-out, Tyler Searle surged onto the attack before off-loading to Matt Byrne.
Byrne was brought down centimetres from the line and, from the play the ball, Searle went low and forced the ball on the line. Donovan converted and the Eagles had reduced Woolgoolga’s lead to 38-16.
Time was running out for the Eagles, however, and in the end it was the Seahorses who came home the stronger, running in two late tries to run out winners by 48- 16.
The reserve-grade clash proved to be just as much of a disappointment to Eagles’ supporters as the Seahorses ran out winners by 34-16.
Injuries to the first graders, and player unavailability, caused changes to both grades. The reserves lacked the smoothness and cohesion of their previous game and struggled to find their pattern.
Philip Colliss, Ken Dixon and Kyle Miller scored tries for the Eagles, while Andrew Blair kicked two goals.
The Under-18s clash proved to be the most exciting game of the day, but unfortunately the Eagles again went down by 20-18.
The Eagles’ try scorers were Braden Fitzgerald, Luke Shields and Michael Lewis, with Tyler Doolan kicking two goals and Fitzgerald kicking one.
This Sunday the Eagles play host to the Orara Valley Axemen, in a vital game for all three grades in their quest for a semi-final berth. The Under-18s will kick off at noon.
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