THE MACKSVILLE Sea Eagles overcame a determined Woolgoolga outfit on Sunday at Allan Gillett Oval, running out 24-12 winners in their Group 2 rugby league clash.
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Given the stop-start nature of the Eagles' start to the season this was a vital match to get their campaign back on track and in the end the Eagles rose to the challenge.
Macksville started the game strongly, scoring a try early on when Kade Spear ran on to a great ball from Neville Donovan to score near the posts. Joe Borg converted and the Eagles led 6-0.
The Sea Horses struck back soon after with a converted try to level, and while the Eagles looked like they could dominate the match the defence of the Woolgoolga players proved equal to the task of holding them out for the first half.
The second half saw the Eagles take control. Grant Collison scored a try on the back of some great work from Sam Miles early on to give the Eagles a 10-6 lead.
From there the Eagles dominated, Peter Bula finishing off some great work by Isaac Mainey to put the Eagles out by 14-6 before Mainey scored two tries himself, one converted by Spear, for the Eagles to lead 24-6.
Late in the game the Sea Horses scored a try to put a scare into Macksville supporters, but the Eagles held Woopi out to the end to seal the deal.
After their defeat by the Comets two weeks ago the Eagles reserve grade were determined to improve in their game, and while they did not take out the two points they showed a real improvement in attitude and skills, narrowly losing the match 32-28.
The first half saw Woolgoolga take an early 10-0 lead, and despite tries to Josh Bartlett and Billy Cockbain and a goal to Cameron Cohen, Woolgoolga went in to the break leading 20-10.
The Eagles came back strongly in the second half, a second try to Cockbain and a great 90 metre run from Jack Ingham, as well as a try and three converions by Cohen actually saw them lead 28-26 before a late try to the Sea Horses snuck them across the line.
The Eagles women were looking for their first win against Woolgoolga, but as in the reserve grade clash they went down narrowly, 12-10.
This was a big improvement for the women. Keyarna Baker and Laura Peisley scored tries for the Eagles while Chiara Blair kicked a goal.
This Sunday sees the Eagles travel to Grafton to take on the Grafton Ghosts, the hot favourites for this competition, in three grades (the Ghosts do not have a League Tag side this year). The Under 18s will kick-off at noon.