Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles fell to their second straight defeat following a 42-22 loss to the Canberra Raiders in round nine of the NSW Cup on Saturday.
The Sea Eagles failed to strike with early chances at 4 Pines Park and it ultimately proved costly, with the Raiders running out to a 24-6 lead at the break.
Three second half tries for Blacktown wasn’t enough as Canberra matched them to maintain their lead for a 20-point victory.
The opening 15 minutes were hard-hitting from both teams, with some strong runs and defence to match it setting the tone.
Blacktown dominated most of the possession and field position early on but ultimately it was the visitors that struck first.
Raiders second-rower Simi Sasagi scored tries in the 17th and 20th minute to propel his side to a 12-0 lead.
The visitors extended their lead to 18-0 with a try for centre James Schiller in the 28th minute.
Sea Eagles five-eighth Jake Arthur showed his craft to score under the posts in the 32nd minute.
A smart off-load from prop Jacob Sykes at the 10 metre line found Arthur, who fooled the defence with a dummy before burrowing under to score for an 18-6 scoreline.
Canberra scored on the stroke of half-time through winger Jed Stuart for a 24-6 lead at the break.
Blacktown struck first in the second half with a try for winger Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega in the 44th minute that was set up by fullback Lehi Hopoate to take the score to 24-12.
The Raiders took advantage of a mistake from the Sea Eagles and scored in the 51st minute through second-rower Luke Webley for a 30-12 scoreline.
Blacktown second-rower Brad Parker got on the end of a grubber kick from Arthur and forced his way over the line for a 30-16 scoreline with 19 minutes remaining.
Canberra bounced back immediately when second-rower Mitchell Spencer scored under the posts to push their lead out to 36-16.
Stuart scored his second for the Raiders with six minutes to play for a 42-16 scoreline.
Sea Eagles winger Jaxson Paulo scored a 40 metre intercept try with three minutes remaining to cut the deficit to 42-22.
The Sea Eagles take on the Newtown Jets at HE Laybutt Field, Blacktown, in round 10 of the NSW Cup on Sunday May 12 at 3pm.
Raiders 42 (Tries: Sasagi 17’, 20’, Schiller 28’, Stuart 39’, Webley 51’, Spencer 65’, Stuart 74’. Goals: Cook 7/7) def. Sea Eagles 22 (Try: Arthur 32’, Tuaimalo Vaega 44’, Parker 61’, Paulo 77’. Goals: Wakeham 3/4)
