Following on from an easy 46-19 victory to the Sheilas in the first of the season's gala days and then a heart-stopping draw between the might of the Roos under-7 team and the competition debutants, Rhino Calves, the senior teams battled hard for the full 80 minutes in a replay of last season's grand final.

In front of a large, vocal crowd and playing in special one-off jerseys for the Yellow For Max fundraiser, the Rhinos were under the pump early with the Eagles having the best of the opening minutes and getting to an early 7-0 lead.

The Rhinos were unable to mount any backline raids and, as a result, Yeoval looked to be heading for an easy win. 

Hobson looked underdone after so much time away with injury and was unable to give centre Kade Goodwin quick service against a swarming defence.

Shortly after, from his attacking 30m line, Goodwin took matters into his own hands and showed his class with a jinking run to the line without a hand being laid upon him.

The half-time score of 7-5 was a fair reflection of the trend of the game as the Eagles used their speedy backline to make ground with almost every touch and it was only the strong defence of Scott McKenzie and Andy McClymont which stopped a number of try-scoring raids.

Yeoval was in shortly after the break when an attacker brushed off four poor attempted tackles and the conversion from in front gave the visitors a very handy 14- 5 lead.

The Rhinos began to put a few moves together and made ground up the middle with replacement lock, Chris Bellhouse, outstanding, especially in defence. 

Hobson booted a penalty to have the home side down by less than a converted try and then moments later winger Vili Cagibula received a pass 40 metres out on the sideline, trampled over the first few defenders, got into the open for a few metres until swamped by at least three Eagles. 

Not properly held, he crawled the last few metres to the line and put the ball down for one of the best tries seen in a long while. 

Hobson converted and the Rhinos led for the first time.

With time running out and the crowd howling for their colours, the Eagles forwards drove downfield to under the posts, where their halfback snuck over a field goal to regain the lead. 

But with only a few minutes remaining the referee awarded the Rhinos a penalty shot. 

Hobson stepped up and stabbed his attempt between the sticks.

Yeoval threw everything at the home side in the few minutes remaining but were unable to make up the difference.

Everyone agreed that, as a spectacle, the game never reached any great heights but for excitement value it could not be matched.

A special mention to Ed Morrish. He is quickly learning the craft of fullback and had a safe game.

The Yellow for Max celebrations were a credit to the organisers and the large crowd in attendance. Donations at the ground alone totalled roughly $1400 while the jersey auction after the match at the Westside Hotel was an even bigger success.

More than $8000 was raised at the auction with jerseys averaging roughly $300 each with players from both the Rhinos and the Eagles in the thick of the bidding.