IF THEIR form at this year’s Coffs Harbour 9s competition is anything to go by, the Macksville Sea Eagles first grade side have a bright Group 2 rugby league season ahead.
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The Eagles have begun their 2017 campaign on a high, taking out the 9s competition shield after defeating the Port Macquarie Sharks 7-0.
With first grade coach Garry Jarrett unavailable on the day, newly appointed reserve grade mentor John Thaiday successfully took the reins of the senior squad, guiding a strong team to victory.
“I had a squad who certainly impressed me as a coach by the way they played and conducted themselves,” John said.
“They all came together and played in a way where they supported one another.
“We've established quite a good thing at training, there’s a good vibe within Macksville and the club at the moment … things are just warming up.”
They won their way through to the final off the back of two strong wins during the day over the Coffs Harbour Comets 1 (29-20) and 2 (24-4) sides.
The games saw the Eagles real flair in attack, but it was their scrambling defence that was the outstanding feature of their play on the day, both in the early game and in the final.
Owen and Stephan Blair showed they will be a real asset for the club with their ability and speed. They were well supported by another new signing in Cameron Cohen.
The final was a tense match that saw the Eagles camped on their own line for almost the entire first half and it was late in the second half when Owen Blair was given the ball out wide and burnt off three defenders to score under the posts. Stephan converted and the Eagles held their ground until the end.
This Saturday the club travels to Bellingen for the annual Matthew Locke Memorial Day with the under 18s facing Bellingen at 11.30 and the senior squad taking on the Air Force at 4.30pm.
Training for the Eagles continues on Tuesdays and Fridays and all prospective players are invited to attend on the day at 6pm. Also, any girls who are interested in joining the Eagles' League Tag side for the season are encouraged to attend.