Experienced Manly Warringah Sea Eagles centre Brad Parker played his first match since suffering a knee injury in late April at 4 Pines Park today.
Parker made a welcome return for Blacktown Workers in their 34-16 loss to St George-Illawarra Dragons in round 17 of the NSW Cup.
The 25-year-old, who has scored 23 tries in 95 games for Manly, played the first half only, making some strong runs in his first game since the round eight Telstra Premiership loss to South Sydney at Gosford.
The Dragons opened the scoring in spectacular fashion in the 10th minute when winger Alexander Lobb leapt high over the defence to score in the right corner for a 4-0 lead.
Former Manly second-rower Jack Gosiewski showed a clean pair of heels after hitting a gap to outpace full-back Jake Toby to score in the corner for an 8-0 lead six minutes later.
Four minutes later, Blacktown Workers opened their account when winger Ray Vaega used his strength to crash over in the right corner for an 8-4 scoreline.
St George-Illawarra winger Treigh Stewart made sure he got in on the tryscoring opportunities when he crossed in the 28th minute for a 12-4 lead.
Blacktown Workers then conceded a try two minutes from half-time after full-back Tyrell Sloan raced away for a try under the posts. Half-back Kamren Cryer converted to give the Dragons an 18-4 lead at half-time.
The Dragons were left a man short three minutes after half-time when Gosiewski was placed on report and sent to the sin bin.
Blacktown Workers quickly capitalised when Toby chimed into the backline to throw a dummy to score out wide. Half-back Dylan White converted for an 18-10 scoreline after 49 minutes.
Just prior to Gosiewski's return, the Dragons went to a 22-10 lead when Lobb leapt high to defuse a crossfield kick to score his second try in the 52nd minute.
Blacktown Workers were then left a man short in the 60th minute when Vaega was placed on report and sin-binned following a brief altercation.
The Dragons capitalised a minute later when they spread the ball left for centre Ethan Clark-wood to score in the corner. Cryer converted for a 28-10 lead.
The scoreline blew further out when Sloan crossed for his second try three minutes later for a 34-10 lead after 66 minutes.
Blacktown Workers scored a late consolation try when winger Pio Seci ran 70 metres to score in the corner. White converted for a 34-16 scoreline.
The loss leaves Blacktown Workers on the bottom of the ladder, three points behind Wests Magpies, with six rounds and a bye remaining.
Blacktown Workers now play Newcastle Knights at 4 Pines Park on Saturday, July 16, at 12.40pm prior to the Jersey Flegg Cup and NRL matches between the two clubs.
