THE MACKSVILLE Sea Eagles proved to be too strong for the Nambucca Heads Roosters in Sunday's Group 2 rugby league clash at Allan Gillett Oval, running out 38-22 winners.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Eagles dominated most of this match, scoring early when Cameron Southan finished off a great backline movement involving Jacob Simpson and Zac Johnson to lead 4-0.
The Roosters struck back with a converted try to lead 6-4 before a great charge by Josh Cockbain led to a try from Tyler Blair that Nev Donovan converted to see the Eagles lead 10-6.
The Eagles pushed further ahead when Cockbain charged 60 metres through three tacklers then carried the fullback over the line to score a great individual try.
Donovan's conversion saw the Eagles lead 16-6.
The Eagles pushed further ahead when Zac Johnson finished off a great backline movement to score the first of his three tries and Donovan converted to see the Eagles lead 22-6. A late try to the Roosters saw the lead reduced to 22-12 at the break.
Right on the stroke of half time a melee broke out that ended with three players from both sides being sent to the sin bin and the second half saw the Roosters take advantage of the space on the field to score two quick tries to level the scores at 22-all.
With the sin binned players returned to the field the Eagles, led by Donovan, settled back into their game plan with almost instant success when Blair crossed for his second try of the day before Johnson scored two further tries that Donovan converted that saw the Eagles run out deserved winners.
The reserve grade clash was literally a game of two halves for the Eagles, the Roosters taking a 28-0 lead into the break before the Eagles proved the stronger side in the second half with two tries to one to see the Roosters run out winners by 34-8.
For the Eagles Dave Lindsay and Tyler Blair scored a try each.
The Under 18s game was a big win for the Roosters who took the game 38-16.
With both teams comfortably in the final five the match was more a matter of pride than a vital competition game but the Roosters were clearly the better side on the day.
Luke Ormandy, Finn Laverty and Jayden Clements score tries for the Eagles while Mitch Morrison kicked two goals.
The last few weeks have seen the Macksville League Tag squad show their potential with three wins but they ran into a determined opposition in this game, the Roosters running out winners by 18-8.
Kerry Jarrett sored a great try backing up a break by Chiara Blair while Antoinette Edwards scored the Eagles other try.
The Eagles travel to Sawtell this Saturday to take on the Panthers in three grades, the League Tag to kick off at 11.
