THE latest chapter in the long-running local rivalry between the Nambucca Roosters and Macksville Sea Eagles unfolded at Coronation Park on Sunday, with the visitors proving too strong as they secured victories in all three grades in the round seven fixture.
Lightly overcast skies, no wind and a pitch holding up well after the recent wet weather provided top conditions for rugby league and the large appreciative crowd was served up an afternoon of riveting footy entertainment.
The first-grade match got off to an electric start with the Roosters scoring only one and a half minutes into the game when a grubber kick close to the line slid past the Sea Eagles defence and Dwayne Roberts Jarrett was able to get his fingers on the ball just before it went dead.
Roberts Jarrett was then able to convert his own try, a difficult kick from the side, and the home team led early 6-0.
Jubilation in the Roosters camp was short-lived as two minutes later Macksville answered those points when a penalty going their way, just 15 metres from the line, set the conditions for winger Ryan Atkins to score a try, not converted.
It took another nine minutes before more points were scored when a Nambucca chip kick surprised defenders and Cam Simon got the ball down, not converted.
The game then developed into a hard-fought defensive battle, with both teams creating opportunities but unable to turn them into points.
The stalemate was finally broken with 15 minutes remaining in the half when a line break from Khan Jarrett put his side on the front foot.
Strong field position followed, allowing Craig Garvey to crash over next to the posts, with Roberts Jarrett adding the extras to push the home side’s advantage out to 16-4.
Macksville needed just three minutes to begin clawing its way back into the contest when Sam Shields burst through the defensive line on a powerful run to score beneath the posts.
Riley Maxwell converted to reduce the deficit to 16-10.
The home side answered those points with under six minutes left in the half with Cam Simon scoring again from a well-placed grubber kick, not converted, and the half wrapping up with a score of 20-10, Roosters in front.
The second half began in a similar fashion to the first.
Another line break by Khan Jarrett set up a Roberts Jarrett try under the posts, he again converted his own try and the Roosters pulled away 26-10.
Three minutes later, the Sea Eagles were back on the scoreboard after a Roosters handling error gifted possession to the very much in-form Sam Shields.
Spotting open space ahead, the Macksville captain sprinted 50 metres to score under the posts. Maxwell converted to narrow the margin to 26-16.
These points seemed to mark a ramping up of the Macksville attack and 12 minutes into the half Shields went over the line again for his third try of the afternoon, Maxwell still on-song with the boot and the home side’s lead slipped away 26-22.
With 24 minutes left in the half Nambucca’s Anthony Cowen was sent off in circumstances that were unclear to those not on the paddock and at the same time Macksville’s Joseph Borg was sent to the bin for 10 minutes.
A few minutes later a great try by Macksville’s Brodie Bartlett, not converted, evened the score 26-26.
An error by the Roosters 20 meters from their line provided Macksville with the scrum feed and quick hands moved the ball across the back line all the way to winger Atkins who got his second try of the match.
Although the conversion was unsuccessful, Macksville hit the lead, 30-26.
What had been a relatively disciplined game began to unravel somewhat from this point with opportunities not capitalised on by either side.
A penalty going Macksville’s way with just six minutes remaining in the game provided the opportunity for a penalty goal, the last points of the game.
Macksville took the win 32-26.
The reserve grade game also went the visitors’ way with the Sea Eagles in great shape, taking home the win 34-10.
In the U/18 the Macksville players were also on their game and pulled well away from the Roosters, the score Macksville 42, Nambucca 6.
By Mick BIRTLES
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