Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles suffered a 44-22 loss to Mounties today in round seven of the Canterbury Cup at Lottoland.
Mounties went into the match as competition leaders with five wins from six games with Blacktown Workers in 11th position with one win from six matches.
The visitors opened the scoring in the third minute with a try to full-back Bailey Simonsson off a pass from prop Corey Horsburgh after he picked up a grubber kick that reflected off him from half-back and captain Zach Dockar-Clay. Winger Andre Niko converted for a 6-0 lead after four minutes.
Three minutes later, Niko dived over in the left corner to finish off a backline play to score for a 10-0 led. Niko failed to convert his own try.
The Sea Eagles got on the board when prop Taniela Paskea used brute strength to score next to the posts in a determined run from a tap. Abbas Miski converted to leave the Sea Eagles trailing 10-6 after 15 minutes.
Centre Sam Smith then showed his accelerating pace when he swooped on a knock down pass to race 90 metres to score under the posts. Miski converted for a 12-10 lead after 20 minutes.
The Sea Eagles went to a 16-10 lead when second-rower Haumole Olakau’atu used his strength to roll across the line to score out wide in the 23rd minute. Miski failed to convert the try.
The Raiders hit back with a try to Hudson Young in the 29th minute with Nik converting for a 16-all scoreline.
Zach Dockar-Clay missed a field goal attempt after the half-time siren to leave the scores locked at 16-all at the break.
Young then grabbed his second try three minutes after the break for a 20-16 lead to Mounties before Paseka crossed for his second five minutes later. Five-eighth Veiru Mapesone converted for a 22-20 lead to the Sea Eagles.
Mounties then scored two quick tries through Ata Hingano in the 58th minute and Tony Satini in the 61st minute for a 32-22 lead before Young scored his third try in the 71st minute. Niko converted all three tries for a 38-22 scoreline.
The visitors then crossed just before full-time through centre Reuben Rennie. Niko converted for a 44-22 win.
