THE Macksville Sea Eagles hosted Sawtell in four grades on Old Boys Day in front of a big crowd at Allan Gillett Oval on Saturday evening.

The under 18s started off proceedings, in what proved a good hit out for the home side before finals.

Macksville claimed the minor premiership and a week off with a 40-10 win.

Brothers Liam and Brennan Cuffe stole the show, claiming three of the team’s eight tries between them.

Mitch Martin grabbed a double, while Brayden Luffman, Brayth Ledger and Koby Toomey all got one each.

Aston Ramunno kicked four goals.

In the women’s tackle, second placed Macksville took on the undefeated Sawtell.

While effort levels were high, Macksville were unable to stop the Sawtell onslaught, going down 24-0.

The Macksville women now turn their attention to preparing for finals footy.

Macksville’s reserve grade side finished six points clear on the table to claim the minor premiership, ending the regular season with a solid 40-8 win over Sawtell.

The Macksville reserves now enjoy a week off, before donning the boots in week two of finals at Coronation Park, Nambucca Heads.

In first grade Macksville took on a Sawtell side in prime form.

Sawtell got on the scoreboard first with a try after fifteen minutes and then extended the lead four minutes later for a 10-0 lead.

The home team then took control of the ball and possession, putting pressure on the Sawtell defence and forcing a line dropout.

With just three minutes left in the first half Jai Whaddy threw a short ball to Sam Shields, who carried defenders over the line to score.

The conversion was unsuccessful and the score was 10-4 in favour of the visitors.

A penalty right on halftime gave Sawtell a penalty goal and an eight point lead going into the break.

When play resumed, Sawtell extended their lead with a try after four minutes down the western side.

The conversion from out wide made the score 18-4 in favour of the away side.

In front of a packed house with the club’s old boys and 2004 premiership team cheering them on, Macksville’s ball control improved in the second half.

Completed sets saw them march downfield and into Sawtell’s attacking zone, before a sin bin for a professional foul saw the visitors reduced to twelve players.

Frustratingly for the home side, a lost ball close to the try line cost them a chance of points on that set.

Not long after however, Sawtell made an error and Macksville made them pay.

Andrew Welsh at dummy half threw a long pass to the right, which was picked up on the bounce by Whaddy.

He sent a long cutout pass to Jacob Simpson, who’s quick catch and pass to Daneil Donovan saw him score a much needed try with 26 minutes to go.

The conversion from Andrew Blair saw the margin reduced to eight points.

Sawtelll then crossed the line again to make it 22-10.

Just when Sawtell might have thought they had done enough to get the win, Macksville showed the never say die spirit the club is known for.

Only making three errors in the entire second half, Macksville kept the pressure on.

A converted try from Andrew Blair reduced the gap to just six points with less than fifteen minutes to play (22-16).

A kick chase forced an error, giving Macksville six more tackles on the Sawtell goal line.

An inside pass from Matt Hyland to replacement David Lindsayn saw him crash over under the post with defenders left in his wake.

The conversion from Blair had the score locked up at 22-22 with eleven minutes to play.

Unfortunately for the gathered Macksville faithful, the dream comeback wasn’t to be, with Sawtell kicking a late penalty goal to hang on the win 24-22 and secure themselves second place on the ladder.

Week one of finals will see Macksville first grade head to Grafton on Saturday in an Elimination Semi Final.

The women’s side head to Sawtell to take on South Grafton on Sunday in the Major Semi Final.

Both the U18’s and reserves get the week off and play in week two.

By Nigel WILBOW