The Macksville Sea Eagles affirmed their position in the top five of the Group 2 VB Mid Competition, with a thorough win over the Nambucca Heads Roosters at Allan Gillett Oval, last Saturday July 3, by 32-16.
With only one point separating the two teams, in fourth and fifth spots, this was always going to be a good game, but with the added incentive of the ‘local derby’ aspect, itbecame a great one.
The Eagles were quick to put the first points on the board, when a strong surge in attack saw them camped close to the Rooster’s line.
Edgar Cowell, from a play of the ball, went on to have his best game of the Season. He drifted left and sent a long ball to Lester Holten, who dived over in the corner to give the Eagles a 4-0 lead.
Nambucca were quick to strike back when Tyrone Ussher-Kinnear picked up a loose ball close to the line, running fifteen metres to score. Michael Ronan converted and the Roosters had taken the lead 6-4.
The early loss of Garry Jarrett, for the Roosters, and Peter Bula, for the Eagles, caused backline re-shuffles for both teams.
After a rapid fire opening, the game settled into a defensive struggle. Dean Buchanan was the one who broke this defensive pattern, when he off-loaded a great ball close to the Rooster’s line.
Cowell, covered by defence, made an even better pass to Buchanan, who crashed over in the corner. David Pickvance converted from the sideline and the Eagles lead 10-6.
Michael Tyerman then scored the first of his three tries. Stepping brilliantly through the defence, and out-sprinting the fullback, Tyerman scored in the corner to give the Eagles a half-time lead of 14-6.
The second-half saw Nambucca begin with a glut of possession, which eventually saw them take the lead. This occurred after James Livock, and then Dion Marr, crashed over the line.
Ronan converted the Livock try, to give the Roosters an 18-16 lead.
The lead was short-lived, however, as Cowell and Tyerman combined for a strong effort.
Cowell off-loaded to a charging Tyerman, who crashed through two defenders, sidestepped the fullback to score under the posts. Neville Donovan converted, with Pickvance in the bin, and the Eagles lead 20-16.
The game was still in the balance but Macksville were clearly coming home stronger.
Luke Cartwright followed a kick downfield and picked up the ball, after a Rooster player knocked it on, pushing off three defenders to score. Pickvance converted and the Eagles were leading 26-16.
The Eagles were not finished yet, with support from Cowell and Tyerman leading to a try. A chip kick from Cowell saw Tyerman burst onto the scene and ground the ball inches from the sideline. Pickvance’s conversion saw the Eagles take out the game 32-16.
This was probably the Eagles best performance of the year. Particularly in their defensive effort, restricting the Roosters scoring to three tries, while their own attack was excellent.
The reserve-grade clash turned into a rout for the Roosters, who were defeated 68-26 by the Macksville Reserves. This was a great attacking effort by the Eagles, particularly from Andrew Blair and Jesse McEwen, whose combination in the halves left the Roosters dumbfounded.
McEwen scored four tries for the Eagles, with Blair and Jacob Skeen scoring two tries and Adrian Jarrett, Kyle Miller, Lance Dixon and Will Ghilotti each crossing the line once. Blair converted six goals.
The Under18s clash was almost as exciting as the first grade game, with the Eagles eventually outlasting the junior rooster to take out the game 28-22.
Tyler Doolan scored early for the Eagles, converting the try to give them a 6-0 lead.
Doolan again scored, but the Roosters crossed to give them a 12-10 lead. The Eagles gradually took control of the game in the second half, with Luke Shields and then Ben Mulvihill crossing for tries.
Steven Lewis and Doolan then converted these tries. The Eagles’ final try came when Jake Fuller put up a towering bomb, to see Braden Fitzgerald leap high and score a spectacular try. This was converted by Doolan, to give the Eagles a 28-12 lead.
Two late tries from the Roosters, and one conversion, saw the Eagles win the match 28-22. This Sunday sees the Eagles travel to Woolgoolga, where they will take on the Sea Horses in three grades. Under-18’s kick-off at noon.
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