Reserve grade also produced a season best performance, winning 48-24 over the third placed Axemen. The girls produced another courageous effort but fell short as the Orara girls got up 16-8.

The wind held a chill factor that would scare a brass monkey at Allen Gillett Oval but that didn’t phase the determined Sea Eagles with a gutsy performance. The start of the first grade encounter saw high quality rugby league played with both teams completing their sets well.

It took 23 minutes, a towering bomb from Andrew Blair, and a bit of teamwork for Cameron Southan to crash over for the initial four pointer. After having a hand in the first try Joe Borg scored his own just before half time for the Sea Eagles to go to the sheds 12-nil up.

The Axemen came out of the sheds in a different frame of mind in the second half resulting in an early try under the posts. With the score at 12-6 and the Axemen on the charge the intensity increased. Midway through the second half the resolve of the Macksville Sea Eagles was tested.

Courageous defence by Jake Simpson saw him knocked out as he dived into a tackle. Simpson didn’t have time to get lonely in the sheds. In the same set of six tackles Jack Ireland received a knock to the head leaving him heavily concussed. The Sea Eagles were down to 15 eligible players with more than 25 minutes of play remaining.

Tempers flared a short time later seeing both sides reduced to 12 on the field. After the restart Macksville responded better than Orara and continued to play disciplined football.

Brad Southan crossed a short time later with Andrew Blair also getting across the line. It was fitting when Joe McKay crossed in what appeared the match winner soon after to take the score out to 26-6.

With five minutes on the clock Orara crossed the stripe as it appeared Macksville had closed shop. At 26-12 Tyler Blair, as he so often does, streaked down field to put the game beyond doubt.

Athletics carnival at Nambucca Heads

V-dubs are on their way to the shire