Tooheys New Group 2 Rugby League competition round three results and preview

Three rounds into the Tooheys New Group 2 competition and the Macksville Sea Eagles have emerged as the competition’s giant slayers, downing 2019 premiers to remain undefeated to start the 2021 season

Grafton Ghosts centre Dylan Collett stopped by Macksville Sea Eagles defence.

Only one team remains undefeated after three rounds of the Tooheys New Group 2 Rugby League competition with the Macksville Sea Eagles perched alone at the top of the first grade ladder.

The Sea Eagles busted the Grafton Ghosts 22-12 in a determined effort in front of a healthy crowd at Frank McGuren Field on Sunday afternoon.

To the disappointment of the home fans Macksville opened the scoring within the first 10 minutes of the game, which was backed up by another try off the back of some hard-running Macksville forwards.

Some poor handling at the back of the field gifted Macksville their third try of the afternoon and at halftime the defending premiers found themselves trailing 18-0.

Despite a second-half rally by the Ghosts they were unable to close the deficit and conceded their first defeat of 2021.

The South Grafton Rebels were able to turn around their recent run of bad form to notch up their first victory of the season, with their first grade side upsetting the Coffs Harbour Comets 26-18. The Comets have slumped to lose two of their first three games, and with this weekend’s assignment against the high-flying Sea Eagles their season won’t be getting any easier.

Woolgoolga Seahorses had a second half to forget in their clash against Bellingen-Dorrigo Magpies, surrendering a 26-6 lead at halftime to see the Magpies swoop on a 30-26 win.

This weekend sees Woolgoolga host Grafton Ghosts, Coffs Harbour face off against Macksville while Bellingen-Dorrigo will tackle the South Grafton Rebels.