THE MACKSVILLE Sea Eagles were unable to overcome the speed of Willy Baker and the kicking game of Cameron Blair on Saturday at Coronation Park when the Nambucca Heads Roosters won the Group 2 derby 32-22.
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This game held significance for both clubs as they wore special jerseys to celebrate the Indigenous heritage of the teams, and the Eagles and Roosters were equal on the ladder.
Nambucca scored first in the match but the Eagles soon struck back when Troy Grace crossed after Andrew Welsh and Sam Miles combined close to the line. Jerry Meehan converted and the Eagles led 6-4.
That was the last scoring opportunity for the Eagles in the first half, but the Roosters established a clear dominance with three converted tries to take a 22-6 lead into the break.
The Eagles needed to score early after the resumption and they did so after a great charge by Ryan Taylor. A quick play the ball ensued and Steven Lewis raced 10 metres and carried two defenders over the line to score. Meehan converted and the Roosters led 22-12.
The game was tense after that till Baker broke away for two long distance tries which pushed the Roosters lead out to 32-12, but the Eagles were not prepared to lay down.
Another veteran, Peter Bula, showed great skill close to the line to put Lucas Grace over in the corner to make the score 32-16, and in the final minutes of the match Michael Tyerman charged through the defence to score.
The win to Nambucca saw them claim the Tackling Domestic Violence Trophy - a program which both clubs are involved in, while the Eagles claimed the Michael Moran Memorial Trophy on the basis of their having won four of the six games between the clubs this year.
The reserve grade clash was a sometimes violent one which saw the Eagles cement their position on the ladder with a 16-6 victory.
Dareece Johnson, Neville Donovan and Joe McKay scored tries for the Eagles while Neville Donovan kicked two goals.
The Under 18s clash turned out to be a great battle, with neither side dominating till late in the second half when the Roosters Juniors took control to run out 18-10 winners.
Clinton Lavender and Joe McEwen scored tries for the Eagles while Jack Ireland kicked a goal.
This weekend sees the Eagles travel to Grafton to take on the Ghosts in three grades, with the Under 18s to kickoff at noon.
