Townies were considered one of the Lewie Fire premiership favourites before the kick-off having narrowly lost out to the Devils in a thriller in last year’s grand final.

But for most of the 80 minutes on a warm Saturday afternoon, they were outplayed by the Eagles who used their lightning pace to extraordinary effect, blasting out into a huge lead before tiring near the end and just hanging on for victory.

It seemed like the game was all going to script when Townies hitting the ground running putting on the first points of the game with an early converted try.

But Curry didn’t take long to get their act together with a 40-20 kick leading to a spell of pressure rewarded by a try in the corner on 8 minutes.

Though they failed to convert, the Eagles hit the front halfway through the first stanza as their fast running players put on the after-burners to streak clear and cross under the posts.

They added another sparkling try on 33 minutes as again Townie defenders were left chasing shadows.

There were huge cheers from the travelling supporters when just two minutes later, Cloncurry repeated the dose latching on to  a clever grubber kick and taking control with a 20-6 lead.

Townies tried hard in the dying minutes of the half but Curry held firm to take that lead to half time.

In the second half Townies piled on the pressure but it was the Eagles who scored first, with a length of the field breakaway making the score 26-6.  

They repeated the dose on 45 minutes again breaking clear with some great running and passing.

With the score at 32-6, it seemed all over but there was plenty of time left for Townies.

The sides swapped tries for a 38-12 score and as the Curry wilted in the heat, Townies slowly reeled in the lead. Three tries later there was just two scores in it and all to play for.

But Curry somehow found one last burst of energy to break away for a try in the corner, which was converted.

Final score Cloncurry 44, Town 30.