Coming into Round 7, Sawtell were on top of the table with Orara Valley, each only suffering one loss in the opening stanza of the Group 2 competition.

Macksville made a similar start to the previous week with Keith Donovan scoring out wide early. Sawtell struck back a short time later with Damien Dumas showing some fancy footwork. The Sea Eagles left edge was dominant with Joe Borg also crossing the stripe for a four pointer.

Tyler Blair crossed for the first of his second double in two weeks. Shortly before the break the Panthers were in again after Chris Cook played on after what appeared a dubious call regarding a possible knock on. The half time break saw Macksville with a 16-12 lead.

The second half was a tense struggle which saw some big contact in the middle. After travelling up the highway this year, former Macksville Sea Eagle Josh Cockbain tried hard to lift his new team. Cockbain’s efforts ignited the home crowd as they got behind their beloved Sea Eagles. The real emotion was in the middle third with friends and family colliding.

Ben Cockbain had another strong game, led in the middle by crowd favourite Luke Shields. Shields rewarded his busload of fans who travelled down from the hills to witness his game. With his big frame and huge motor, he constantly bent the Sawtell defensive line. Bull Welsh was again tough in the middle with his defence and scheming darts from dummy half.

Andrew Blair also backed up his performance in Grafton with a strong running game and some pin point kicking.

Macksville Sea Eagles 26 points (Tyler Blair 2, Keith Donovan, Joe Borg, Daneil Donovan tries, Andrew Blair 2 and Cameron Blair 1 goal) defeated Sawtell Panthers 18.

In a tense game that threatened to end in a draw Macksville’s Sea Eagles reserve grade got home 26 points to 24 over ladder leaders Sawtell. Kade Spear resembled former NRL star Feleti Mateo with his deft passes and incisive runs resulting in a hat-trick of tries.

Daneil Donovan was again one of Macksville’s strongest at the back. Donovan proved his fitness again after a full game in reserve grade and backing up in first grade.

In the final seconds of the game Grant Collison was sent from the field for alleged dissent. The resulting attempted penalty goal was 40 metres out and just wide of the posts. An interesting post-match debrief between coach James, and brother Grant Collison, was avoided as the kick faded to the left of the posts.

Macksville Sea Eagles 26 (Kade Spear 3, Billy Cockbain, Grant Collison tries, Cam Cohen 2 and Jake Saunders 1 goal) defeated Sawtell Panthers 24.

The Macksville Under 18s started the winning off for the Sea Eagles with a dominant display over the Panthers side. The Sea Eagles have been threatening throughout the season without actually executing for a full game.

The display by the young Sea Eagles could give them the foundation from which to build their season. None were better on the day than Beau Langford with his speed and positioning resulting in three tries.

It was another strong game in the middle by Jack Keogh who was rewarded for his efforts with a try. Zane Doolan was dynamic at five eighth and lethal with his combination of hulking Jordan Moore.

Macksville Sea Eagles 40 (Beau Langford 3, Zane Doolan, Jack Keogh, Jordan Moore, Logan Jones tries, Mitch Morrison 6 goals) defeated Sawtell Panthers 12.

The Ladies League Tag saw the girls put up another determined effort. Chiara Blair had a strong game with some of her kicks proving more than a handful. Laura Peisley and Dakota Hillery led the team around well and Tori Spear showed surprising pace and fortitude with some of her runs. But Sawtell Panthers were too strong for Macksville Sea Eagles 18-0.

The Sea Eagles next home game is June 17 against the table topping Orara Valley Axemen.

In the meantime, this weekend’s match against the South Grafton Rebels is pivotal as to how the Sea Eagles finish in 2018.