Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles have finally broken through for their first victory of the season in the NSW Cup with a well-deserved 24-14 win over the Newcastle Knights.
It was a gutsy performance from Coach Nathan Hogan's men after the Sea Eagles trailed 10-0 at half-time before scoring four second half tries at Newcastle No 2 Sports Ground in the round five match on Sunday.
Blacktown Workers were boosted by the return of NRL squad players Ethan Bullemor, Toff Sipley, Jorge Taufua, Kurt De Luis, Kaeo Weekes, and Ben Trbojevic. Hogan also moved experienced hooker James Segeyaro to half-back with Tyran Ott staying in the nine jersey.
The combination of three cancelled trials (two to wet weather, one to COVID) and the fact Blacktown Workers had little time to train together before round one always meant the team was going to take time to gel.
Blacktown Workers conceded the opening try in the fourth minute after centre Brayden Musgrove stepped past opposition centre Jorge Taufua to score in the corner for a 4-0 lead. A minute earlier, Blacktown Workers winger Alfred Smalley was placed on report for a high tackle.
Both sides then made a number of errors in the warm conditions with Sea Eagles prop Toff Sipley held up under the posts midway through the first half.
Tempers flared late in the first half when Newcastle player Brock Gardner gave some unnecessary extra attention in a tackle on centre Ben Trbojevic.
A few minutes later, Gardner sent half-back Dylan Phythian over the line for a 10-0 lead to the Knights at half-time.
A minute into the second half, Smalley was placed on report for a second time for a dangerous tackle. However, the robust winger made amends 10 minutes later when he crossed for the first of his two tries.
Following a strong run close to the line by Adam Fearnley, the Sea Eagles quickly shifted the ball to their left before five-eighth Eiden Ackland delived a cut out pass for Smalley to score in the corner. Ackland converted from the sideline to leave Blacktown Workers trailing 10-6 after 54 minutes.
Five minutes later, Smalley crossed for his second try after he shifted to the centres for Taufua. Some quick hands by Segayaro saw full-back Kaeo Weekes give a crisp ball for Smalley to score. Ackland converted for a 12-10 lead after 60 minutes.
Two minutes later, Sipley was not to be denied for a second time after he charged through two defenders to score next to the posts. Ackland converted for an 18-10 lead after 63 minutes.
Another barnstorming run and a great offload by Sipley saw him send Weekes over under the posts. Ackland converted for a 24-10 lead after 70 minutes.
The Knights hit back six minutes later through a try to winger Nicholas O’Meley for a 24-14 scoreline before the Sea Eagles dug deep in defence once again to claim a much needed win.
