Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles suffered a 16-14 loss to Newcastle Knights at McDonald Jones Stadium today in round five of the NSW Cup.
The Sea Eagles opened the scoring in the second minute when winger Abbas Miski crossed in the left corner for a 4-0 lead. Five-eighth Lachlan Croker failed to convert the try.
Newcastle hit back in the fourth minute when centre Tautau Moga proved too strong in a two man tackle to score in the corner. Zac Woolford missed the conversion attempt.
Three minutes later, Newcastle went to an 8-4 lead when winger Heath Gibbs used his left fend to score in the right corner. Woolford failed to convert the try.
The Knights extended their lead four minutes later when second-rower Beau Fermor split the defence to offload before getting the ball back to score for a 12-4 lead after 13 minutes. Woolford missed the conversion attempt.
Newcastle took a 16-4 lead in the 24th minute when winger Kiah Cooper finished off a nice backline play to score. Woolford missed the conversion attempt from the sideline.
The Sea Eagles hit back when Miski crossed for his second try in the 34th minute after nice passing from half-back Zach Dockar-Clay and full-back Jade Anderson. Croker missed the conversion for a 16-8 scoreline.
Dockar-Clay missed a penalty goal in the 40th minute to leave the Sea Eagles trailing 16-8.
Miski left his team short a man when he was sin-binned in the 57th minute for a professional foul but some outstanding defence by Blacktown kept the Knights off their line.
The Sea Eagles hit back well when a great crossfield kick by Croker saw second-rower Haumole Ola’au'atu leap high to take the ball to score near the posts. Croker converted the try for a 16-14 scoreline with 14 minutes remaining.
Some great defensive work by the Knights prevented winger Sam Smith from scoring for the Sea Eagles in the 72nd minute.
Unfortunately for the Sea Eagles, Anderson failed a concussion test and didn’t return for the match, resulting in Croker shifting back to full-back.
The Sea Eagles tried valiantly to the end but couldn't crack the Knights line.
