Wood, who arrived from France only last Tuesday, had a great game for the Eagles, setting up a try, defending well and making good in-roads into the Nambucca defence with the ball.

The game itself lived up to much of the hype that went before it, both sides making the most of the wet conditions to score some good tries but at the same time proving strong in defence.

The Eagles started the scoring early with a try to Daniel Donovan on the back of a great ball from Mike Flanders to take a 4-0 lead. But Nambucca struck back with two tries to Jay Melrose to see the halftime scoreline read Roosters 8, Macksville 4.

An early try to Nambucca left the Eagles with an even bigger row to hoe before James Collison ran onto a great pass from Wood 10 metres from the line to score. Flanders converted and the Roosters lead had been reduced to 12-10.

A quick converted try to Nambucca saw them extend their margin to 18-10, but then the Eagles struck.

Flanders was again involved in the try, passing a short ball to Tyler Searle 10 metres from the line which saw Searle almost carry the ball behind his back before planting it down to reduce the lead to 18-14.

Michael Tyerman crossed next for the Eagles, running onto a great ball from Flanders and then beating three defenders to score and level the scores at 18-all.

Melrose crossed for his third try from an intercept as the Eagles went on the attack, and when Edgar Cowell kicked a penalty goal soon after the Roosters led 24-18 and seemed to have the game in hand.

But in the last five minutes of the game the Eagles won a scrum 20 metres from the line and Damien Carriage charged through the defenders to score and put the Eagles within two points.

Then in the dying moments of the game the Eagles received a penalty 40 metres out and Flanders, after earlier missing two attempts close to the posts, calmly potted the goal to see the final score locked up.

* The reserve grade clash saw the Roosters run out 29-10 winners.

Despite the scoreline the Eagles were in this game till the last 10 minutes but they lacked a spark in attack and did not handle the wet conditions as effectively as the Roosters.

Steven Lewis and David Lindsay scored tries for the Eagles while Mark Knight kicked a goal.

* The Eagles Under 18s literally got out of jail, running out 24-22 winners in an exciting game.

Nambucca scored first and led for 59 minutes of the game.

Eagle Caleb Handley scored a try in the dying minutes and Jack Ireland converted almost from the sideline after the bell.

Jake Simpson scored two tries for the Eagles while Mitch Stapleton and Max Hoysted scored a try each and Caleb Handley kicked two goals.

* This weekend sees the Eagles take on the Grafton Ghosts at Allan Gillett Oval in three grades with Eagles’ fans getting their first opportunity to see Wood at their home ground.