After challenging Orara and Coffs in the last few weeks the Eagles went into this game against the undefeated premiers full of hope despite having as many as five regular first graders unavailable through injury and suspension.

The early stages of the match again favoured the Eagles who showed that they were determined to upset their rivals with good attacking raids and stout defence. 

Brian Enoch set up the first Eagles try with a blistering turn of pace close to the line before sending Keith Donovan over in the corner for the Eagles to lead 4-0.

The Rebels equalled after a series of errors by the Eagles saw them under sustained pressure but the local boys struck again from a scrum 40 metres from the line which saw Donovan flick a great pass to Josh Bartlett who raced away to score. Andrew Blair converted and the Eagles led 10-6.

Right on the stroke of half time the Rebels capitalised on more errors to level the scores before following up early in the second stanza with another converted try to lead 16-10.

The second half was a highly entertaining affair, both sides showing glimpses of great attack which were snuffed out by determined defence before Andrew Welsh chipped ahead after 25 minutes to see Jerry Meehan take the ball and step around the fullback to score under the posts. 

Blair converted and the scores were again locked up at 16 all. 

Blair booted the Eagles in front with a 35-metre penalty goal, but the Rebels replied with a penalty of their own and then with six minutes to go Theeran Pearson kicked a field goal for the Rebels to see them take out the game 19-18.

* The reserve grade match was an entertaining clash between the first placed Eagles and the equal second placed Rebels which saw Macksville run out deserved winners 46-28. 

The Eagles raced to a 12-0 lead before South Grafton had done more than kick off, Kristian Kelly scoring first and then Jimmy Cutmore with both tries converted by Nev Donovan.

From there the Eagles controlled the game, South Grafton scoring the occasional try to keep some pressure on the home side but never really challenging their lead.

Cutmore finished a great game with three tries of his own, while Kelly scored two, as did Peter Ling while Clinton Lavender also scored a try. Neville Donovan kicked a total of seven goals.

* The under 18s clash saw the Rebels run out winners 30-22. The Eagles seemed to be adrift at times, taking an early 14-0 lead only to see it run down by their opponents.

Whether the stop start nature of the last few weeks in this competition has seen the juniors lose some momentum, or the fact that they had only 16 players, the young team showed they can still dominate any team at some stages while losing their way at others. 

Taniela Bula score two tries for the Eagles while Connor Gainge, Tahn Smith and Dean Goodwin scored a try each and Brodie Bartlett kicked a goal.

The Eagles have the bye this weekend before facing the Sawtell Panthers the following weekend at Allan Gillett Oval in three grades.