A four try haul to exciting young full-back Jake Toby wasn't enough to lift the Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles to victory against the Western Suburbs Magpies today.
Toby showed some great footwork and speed to score his four tries with the Magpies winning 30-26 in the round nine NSW Cup match at 4 Pines Park.
The Sea Eagles struck early through Toby in the second minute after he burrowed underneath the defence to score. Centre Masi Paulo Fidow converted to give his side a 6-0 lead.
The Magpies replied five minutes later with a try from winger Israel Ogden in the corner. Halfback Jock Madden converted from the sideline to level the scores at six-all.
Blacktown held on in the 15th minute despite conceding a penalty in front of their own tryline. After three tackles in the new set, they forced an error thanks to some pressure in defence and gained possession back.
The Sea Eagles had their second through prop Jacob Sykes in the 17th minute. The forward received an inside pass and found a gap in the defence before steamrolling the fullback to ground the ball. Fidow converted from next to the posts for a 12-6 lead.
In similar timing to the first, the Magpies replied five minutes after Blacktown’s try and scored in the right corner through winger Mitsias after a good shift in play. Madden converted from the sideline to level the scores at 12-all.
The Magpies took the lead for the first time in the match as Ogden grabbed his second try in the 28th minute. Madden converted for an 18-12 scoreline.
Second-rower Fa’amanu Brown scored for the Magpies with four minutes to play in the half. Madden made the conversion to extend his side's lead out to 24-12. It remained that way to half-time.
The Sea Eagles scored the first points in the second half after ten minutes as Toby grabbed his second for the day. Hooker James Segeyaro made a break through the line and sent the fullback over untouched, taking the score to 24-16.
Jake Toby had his hat-trick three minutes later as Blacktown scored again to bring the game within touching distance. A forward offloaded to Joe Tramontana and from there, he found himself in space. The utility player dragged in the opposing fullback before passing to Toby, who then raced 40 metres down field to ground the ball, bringing the score to 24-20.
The Magpies scored in the 64th minute through lock Tom Freebairn, as he contested a crossfield kick metres out from the line before reaching out to ground the ball. Madden converted to extend the side's lead to 30-20.
As Blacktown looked to shift it on last, winger Bilal Maarbani was stuck in a precarious position. On the wing he was forced to put a kick in, which landed at the 20 and continued to bounce back towards the tryline, sitting up perfectly and forcing a drop-out in the 68th minute.
With just over four minutes to play, Toby had his fourth try for the Sea Eagles. Play was shifted to the right side of the field and the fullback got his hands on the ball. With his speed, he split through the defenders and reached out to ground the ball inches from the sideline. Fidow converted from the sideline to bring the score to 30-26.
Blacktown threw all they could in order to grab a last minute try to snatch victory, but were unfortunate in their attempts as the Magpies held on, claiming a gritty four point win.
Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles play the North Sydney Bears at North Sydney Oval on Saturday May 14, at 12.10pm, in round 10 of the NSW Cup.
Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles team
1. Jake Toby, 2. Bilal Maarbani, 3. Alfred Smalley, 4. Masi Paulo Fidow, 5. Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega, 6. Dylan White, 7. Ben Stevanovic, 8. Jacob Sykes, 9. James Segeyaro, 10. William Swann, 11. Luke Hodge, 12. Kenny Soumpholphakdy, 13. James Roumanos
INTERCHANGE: 14. Joe Tramontana, 15. Lopeti Mafi, 16. Adam Fearnley, 17. Jordan Main RESERVE: 18. Bailey Cantrill
