Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles suffered a 46-6 loss to the Wests Magpies at Bankwest Stadium today in round seven of the NSW Cup.
In a bleak day for Blacktown Workers, the team's only try came just on the stroke of halftime when lock Zac Saddler linked up with five-eighth Keighran to bump past the defenders to score.
Coming off the back of a bye last week, Blacktown struggled to capitalise on their chances, finishing the match with a higher completion rate and less errors compared to their opposition.
The Magpies opened the scoring in the third minute through prop Thomas Mikaele after he bumped past three defenders for a try to the left side of the posts. Halfback Jock Madden missed the conversion to make the score 4-0.
The Magpies struck again in the 10th minute off the back of a silky cut-out pass from Madden to winger Kiah Cooper as they scored again on the left edge. The man who set up the try, Madden, was unable to convert from the sideline with the score at 8-0.
A big shot from winger Jorge Taufua turned the tables for the Workers as they had their first opportunity of the match in the Magpies' territory. Some last ditch defence at the line prevented Blacktown from getting their first points on the board as they turned the ball over.
Blacktown continued to have their chances with centre Tim Simona going close with a self-grubber kick effort on the right side and new half-back Kauri Aupouri-Puketapu knocking on a deflected grubber kick on the left edge.
Cooper intercepted an attempted cut-out pass in the 23rd minute and ran 70 metres to score his second try for the Magpies. Madden missed the conversion after hitting the post, bringing the score to 12-0.
The Magpies continued to pile the tries on, scoring six minutes later. Hooker Jacob Liddle grabbed the ball out of dummy half and put a grubber kick through that deflected off the post, which was eventually dived on by lock Tom Freebairn. Madden converted next to the post to extend the lead to 18-0.
Blacktown grabbed their lone try with just over a minute to play in the first half with forward Zac Saddler running off a ball on the inside of five-eighth Brad Keighran before crashing over two defenders to score. Keighran converted to leave the Workers trailing 18-6 at half-time.
A sloppy handling error from centre Christian Tuipulotu turned over possession 30 metres out from Blacktown’s line. The Magpies made them pay in the 42nd minute as Liddle ducked out of dummy half and dummied the ball before diving over to the right side of the posts. Madden converted to take the score to 24-6.
Interchange Alex Seve looked to lift the Workers’ side up, rushing out of the line to force an error with a solid tackle. Off the back of that defensive effort, Blacktown went close to scoring after having numbers on the right edge, only being called back after a knock-on call.
Interchange Regan Hughes scored for the Magpies in the 57th minute after gathering a kick that sat up well for him upfield. Replacement five-eighth Billy Walters converted from in front for a 30-6 scoreline.
Cooper grabbed his hat-trick three minutes later, taking a pass from centre Joseph Leilua before diving over in the corner. Madden converted from the sideline to extend the lead to 36-6.
The Magpies scored two more tries inside the last three minutes for the 46-6 win.
Blacktown play the Penrith Panthers at Carrington Park, Bathurst, in Round 8 of the NSW Cup at 12.40pm on May 1.
