Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles suffered a 26-14 loss to New Zealand Warriors at Mt Smart Stadium today in round five of the Intrust Super Premiership.
The Sea Eagles went into the game searching for their first win of the season and more than matched their undefeated opponents until the home pulled away late in the game.
The visitors started the game strongly with some fine defence to keep the Warriors at bay. They were rewarded for their efforts when hooker Joey Lussick dived over from dummy half. Lussick converted his own try for a 6-0 lead after 10 minutes.
The Warriors hit back with a try to second-rower Ofahiki Ogden. Half-back and captain Mason Lino converted for a 6-all scoreline.
The home side then punished the Sea Eagles with a try to second-rower Bunty Afoa after Sea Eagles centre Matthew Wright kicked the ball out on the full from the re-start for a 10-6 lead.
A great pass from dummy half by five-eighth Cameron Cullen saw lock Brendan Attwood hit a hole to score to make it 10-all after 31 minutes. Lussick failed to convert the try. The score remained that way to half-time.
Second Half
The strong goal line defence shown in the first half by the Sea Eagles went missing in the opening minutes when hooker Samuel Cook beat three defenders to score under the posts. The try was converted for a 16-10 lead.
The Sea Eagles hit back immediately when replacement hooker Dean Parata darted over from dummy half to score next to the posts. Matthew Wright failed to convert from next to the posts for a 16-14 scoreline after 52 minutes.
A short ball saw Afoa brush through the tackle of Cullen to score his second try. The try was converted to give the Warriors a 22-14 lead after 61 minutes.
Lino sealed victory for the Warriors when he showed and go to find a hole after the ball was spread right to score for a 26-14 lead in the 71st minute.
Round 6
Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles play Illawarra at Lottoland on Saturday, April 8, at 12.40pm as part of a triple header.
Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles team
1 Viliami Kaveinga 19 Kelepi Manu 2 Pat Mataele 4 Matthew Wright 5 Peter Schuster 6 Cameron Cullen 7 Pita Godinet 8 Lloyd Perrett 9 Joey Lussick 17 Evrett Vaurasi 11 Shaun Lane 18 Jake Samoa 13 Jarrad Kennedy; Interchange: 10 Tom Amone 12 Brendan Attwood 14 Tyler Cassell 22 Dean Parata.
