The Eagles turned a seven-point deficit at halftime into a 13-point victory in round six, keeping the Wombats – who played 20 minutes of the match with 14 men – scoreless in the second-half to win 30-17.

The result marks Cowra’s first victory of the season, coming as a relief for coach Troy Hayes.

“It’s really good to get the monkey off the back,” Hayes said of the win.

“We were able to run a bit freer which was very pleasing.”

Despite the Eagles registering first points from a Troy Jeffs penalty goal, the visitors shot to an early 11-point lead courtesy of tries to scrum-half Lee Sandberg and flyhalf  Brian O’Reilly which were both converted by James Ford.

Cowra camped themselves in Wombats’ territory for the middle part of the first half, and following a penalty resulting in the first of two Mudgee sin-binnings, the pressure paid off with John Grant going across untouched at first receiver from a scrum.

A Mudgee penalty goal at the 31^st minute made the lead 17-10 which remained the margin until the break.

The Wombats were forced to play the opening 10 minutes of the second period with 14 men after centre Lewis Fawcett was yellow-carded for a high-tackle on the halftime hooter.

Eagles took advantage and levelled the scores five minutes from the restart as Bill Cummins scored the first of his two for the day and Jeffs nailed the conversion.

Back to back penalties in the 53^rd and 61^st minute gifted Cowra a 23-17 lead heading into the last quarter.

The much-needed Eagles victory was sealed in the 75^th minute when Cummins scored on the right edge.

Jeffs maintained an unblemished goal-kicking record to give Cowra a rousing 30-17 win.

Mudgee coach Tony Muller said the pressure resulting from two yellow cards became too much for the struggling Wombats.

“We defended well with a man down in the first half and had to prepare to do it again in the second-half,” Muller said after the defeat.

“I can’t fault what they tried out there. It told in the last 20 minutes or so they we did play with a man short for 20 minutes.”

“Cowra dominated, they kept the ball and they didn’t turn the ball over. They deserved it.”

Cowra coach Troy Hayes was pleased to see his backs find some space and play with ever-growing confidence.

“I think it was about being patient. We stuck to our plan and turned it on the second-half which is very pleasing to see,” he commented.

​Cowra Eagles 30 (Bill Cummins 2, John Grant tries; Troy Jeffs three conv, three penalty goals) def. Mudgee Wombats 17 (Lee Sandberg, Brian O’Reilly; James Ford two conv, penalty goal).