NSW Country defeat Western Force 38-24 in NRC clash in Port Macquarie

The Eagles led 14-0 inside 10 minutes following tries to winger Mark Nawaqanitawase and scrum half Jake Gordon.

Force prop Heath Tessman hit back for the visitors seven minutes later before the Eagles reasserted their authority with a penalty try to take a 21-7 lead into the break.

Both sides exchanged tries in the second half as the Eagles held on to bounce back to form after a 24-19 loss to Brisbane City last weekend and inflict the Force's first defeat of the season.

Eagles captain Ned Hanigan said it was pleasing his side hit the ground running after the disappointment of last week.

"You're always pumped up in the sheds when you come out of the tunnel and we know we've got a bit of talent out wide," he said.

"You're always after a good start, but the work-ons for us is that first 20 after half-time you need that ascendancy as well and we probably let them back into the game.

"It's good to come here to Port Macquarie, bring the community together and hopefully we can have a few tins after the game."

He said the Eagles actively pursued a flamboyant style which allowed players to express their attacking ability.

"You want to play that exciting brand of footy because we all enjoy playing it, but it's a weird thing coming together post a season," he said.

"You've got guys coming from different teams forming up in the same team and you want those guys to express their skill which they've done all year."

The performances of lock Tom Staniforth, flanker Maclean Jones and fullback Connor O'Shea were several of the highlights to come out of the game.

"It's a team performance and we're really happy to get the result especially last week coming off a loss that we thought we could have gone up there and got," Hanigan said.

"The way we started and the way we played was a bloody good result."

After growing up and playing his junior footy in Coonamble, Hanigan said it was important for NSW rugby to continue to bring these sorts of games to regional areas.

"I know what the game does out here," he said.

"It brings people together, it takes their mind off things and it's after the game as well which is quite good.

"You get around, have a yarn with one another, share a tin and it facilitates that ease of mind and that's so important particularly now where blokes are thinking of it not raining and their stresses being external.

"To be able to come here with the family where the old guys have a tin, the mothers fluff the feathers and chat to one another and the kids can enjoy running around.

"It's a community event which is why these type of games are so important."

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