The Macksville Sea Eagles’ first-grade squad won the right to continue their 2010 finals campaign, with a convincing 32-22 victory over the Sawtell Panthers last Saturday at Rex Hardaker Oval.
This was a win based on an all-round game by the Eagles, who were brilliant in attack and devastating in defence – when required.
The opening ten minutes of the game was a typical final’s fare, with both sides eager to establish their superiority, though neither was able to do so until the Panthers crossed for an unconverted try, to score a 6-0 lead.
The Eagles struck back quickly, with a planned move ten metres from the Panther’s line.
From the ruck Grant Coleman ran the ball up, before turning it back to dummy-half Grant Collison, who sent a quick ball to Edgar Cowell.
A sharp pass from Cowell found Jesse McEwen charging onto the ball to cross the line and score the Eagles’ first try. David Pickvance converted and the score was Macksville 6, Sawtell 6.
While the first try was rehearsed the Eagles’ second came from individual brilliance from Pickvance, who charged onto a good ball from Cowell ten metres out, beat two defenders with pace and then seemed to dance around another three to score.
The Eagles seemed to dominate the rest of the first-half but, against the run of play, Sawtell scored a try through Nathan Davies, who converted his own try to lock the scores up 12-all at half-time.
Whatever captain Grant Coleman said to his charges at the break proved more than effective as the Eagles came out in the second-half to put on a three try blitz, which saw Macksville take an unassailable lead.
The first try came when Cowell grubbered a kick into the corner, close to the line, which the Panthers’ winger was unable to cover and Adam Dixon dived onto to give the Eagles a four-point lead.
Cowell was in the thick of it soon after when Neville Donovan put Tyler Searle into a hole, which saw Searle race forty metres into Sawtell’s territory and send a great ball to Cowell, who came across to score. Pickvance converted and the Eagles lead 22-12.
A timely replacement led to the Eagles’ next try, as the Under-18s Tyler Doolan, who had only just come on, made a forty metre break from dummy half though the middle of the Sawtell team.
Tackled metres from the line Doolan got to his feet quickly to play the ball to Donovan. He passed to Cowell, which was then sent to a rampaging Matt Byrne, who carried three defenders over the line to score. Pickvance’s conversion saw the Eagles lead 28-12.
The Panthers were able to regather their wits effectively enough to cross against this onslaught and reduce the Eagles lead to 28-18, but from there the Eagles defence was solid and the Panthers could find no way through or around it.
In the last five minutes a dropped ball from the Panthers saw Will Ghilotti swoop on an opportunity and race fifty metres, swerving around the Sawtell fullback, to score out wide and give the Eagles a 32-18 lead.
As the siren sounded the Panthers crossed for a late consolation try, that saw the Eagles run out well deserved winners by 32-22.
The Eagles were not as fortunate in the reserve-grade clash between Macksville and Orara Valley, who went down 32-22.
Whether they were struck by nerves, or unfortunate disruptions, the damage was done to the Eagles in the first ten minutes when Orara ran in two tries to lead 10-0.
From there the Eagles struck back gamely, actually taking a 12-10 lead, but they were unable to find their usual fluidity and struggled to hold on to the ball.
For the Eagles Philip Collis, Kyle Miller and Eric Doyle scored tries and Andrew Blair kicked two goals.
This Sunday sees the Eagles travel to Port Macquarie Stadium to take on the Sharks in the first-grade final to see which team will take on the Coffs Harbour Comets in the grand final.
Supporters are reminded that the Under-18s will kick off at 11.30am, and all games should start half an hour earlier than the regular season.
Come and cheer on our boys.
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