The Macksville Sea Eagles confirmed they will host Saturday’s minor semi-final at Allan Gillett Oval last Sunday, with a convincing 60-12 win over the Bellingen Magpies.
With the opportunity to host a semi-final, and gain the home ground advantage, the Eagles were keen for a win in this match. And they did so emphatically, scoring 12 tries to two.
The first try in this match went to the Magpies after five minutes, when a Macksville error saw the Magpies score a converted try to lead 6-0.
Bellingen’s lead was shortlived, however, and within minutes Edgar Cowell sent David Pickvance on a long run to the line. As he was about to be run down, Pickvance sent a long pass to Michael Tyerman, who raced in to score the Eagles first try.
Cowell was again involved in the next try, when he cut out Henry Dunn to send Pickvance on another long run to the line, which saw Pickvance score out wide to give the Eagles an 8-6 lead.
Cowell picked up the next try for the Eagles, with an intercept and a 60-metre run for a 12-6 lead, and the Eagles went further ahead when Adam Dixon backed, up a great break by Jesse McEwen.
Cowell converted to give the Eagles an 18-6 lead. Cowell scored again soon after, with a great pass from Neville Donovan, when a penalty put the Eagles on the attack close to he line. Sam Miles crossed for Macksville after a great break by Donovan, to see the half-time scoreline read Macksville 28, Bellingen 6.
The second-half had the Eagles straight on the attack when a great long run saw Tyerman in for his second try of the day. Another run saw Miles cross for his second try, which Dixon converted to give the Eagles a 38-6 lead.
The Magpies broke the Eagles’ run of tries when Danny Russell crossed for a Magpies’ try, which was converted to reduce the Eagles’ lead to 38-12. But the Eagles were back in command shortly after.
Henry Dunn charged through three tacklers to run 30 metres to score the Eagles’ next try, which Dixon converted to see the Eagles’ lead extended to 44-12.
Macksville was in again shortly after when Jimmy Collison ran on to a great ball from Cowell. McEwen backed up a great break by Pickvance to score his first try, which Dixon again converted to see the Eagles lead 54-12.
The Eagles’ final try came when Collison and Miles combined to put McEwen into a gap, which saw him race away for his second try of the day. Troy Grace converted and the Eagles took out the match 60-12.
The Macksville Under-18s again took to the field with only the bare 13 players, and the final scoreline saw them go down by 38-16. They were anything but disgraced.
Jimmy Cutmore, Luke Shields and Jake Fuller scored tries for the Eagles, while Steven Lewis and Luther Ross kicked a goal each.
This Saturday the Eagles first-grade team take on the Nambucca Heads Roosters in a sudden death elimination. On Sunday the second placed Eagles reserve-grade will travel to Sawtell to take on the Macleay Valley Mustangs.
The Under-18s will kick off at 11.30 am on both days, with the other grades to follow.
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