THE Grafton Ghosts showed they will be a real force in the Tooheys Blue Group 2 rugby league competition when they smashed the Macksville Sea Eagles 56-16 on Sunday at Allan Gillett Oval.
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The first half effort of the Ghosts was clinical, with a fortuitous bounce leading to a try before the Eagles had held the ball to be followed by Grafton rushing to a 16-0 lead after only 10 minutes.
The hapless Macksville team had no real response to the early onslaught of the Ghosts and found themselves lagging 42-0 at the break.
Whatever words of wisdom captain-coach Troy Grace had for the Eagles at the break it seemed to have some impact, though early in the half the Ghosts scored two tries to push out to a 52-0 lead.
When the Eagles finally managed to get across the stripe it was Peter Bula who scored off a great pass from Tyler Doolan. Doolan converted and the Ghosts lead by 52-6.
The Eagles were the next to score when Leroy Buchanan stepped and weaved his way through four defenders from 30 metres out to dot down near the posts. Doolan again converted and the Ghosts led 52-12.
The Grafton team went to 56-12 soon after with their final try before a judicious kick from Lucas Grace late in the half saw Bula cross for his second.
* The reserve grade clash was a closer game but again the Ghosts proved the stronger, running out 36-22 winners.
The Eagles were their own worst enemies in the early stages, dropping the ball and giving away penalties to see the Ghosts take an early 14-0 lead before Jordan McEwen crossed and David Pickvance converted to reduce the Ghosts lead to 14-6 at the break.
The second half was similar to the first, with the Ghosts capitalising on Macksville’s errors to keep their lead despite some good attacking efforts by the Eagles.
Jimi Allan, Rob Smith and Brayden Fitzgerald crossed for tries for the Eagles while Ken Dixon kicked two goals.
* The under 18s gave the Macksville supporters a brighter result as the juniors ran out 38-6 victors.
This was a strong effort by the Macksville boys, who combined good defence with some fancy attacking football.
Stuart Mason scored two tries for the Eagles, while Jake Simpson, Jai Doolan, Sam Shields and Clinton Lavender scored a try each with Simpson and Dylan Stewart kicking two goals each and Caleb Handley one.
* This weekend sees the Eagles playing on Sunday at Allan Gillett Oval against the Coffs Harbour Comets. With an exhibition game of ladies Oztag to kick off at 11.15, this promises to be an entertaining day of league for all supporters.
