Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles recorded their second win of the season tonight with an upset 22-16 victory over the North Sydney Bears at 4 Pines Park.
With the welcome inclusion of Manly NRL squad members Taniela Paseka, Jorge Taufua, Jamie Humphreys, Kurt De Luis, Ethan Bullemor, Jacob Sykes and Zac Fulton in the team, the Sea Eagles controlled the game from the outset to lead 12-6 at half-time before going on to record a well deserved victory under Coach Nathan Hogan
The Sea Eagles opened the scoring in the second minute after winger Ray Vaega dragged in a high pass from exciting young full-back Jake Toby. Half-back Jamie Humphreys converted from out wide for a 6-0 lead.
Vaega was then denied a second try four minutes later when the touch judge ruled the winger dropped the ball in placing it down for a spectacular dive. Replays of the try showed he didn’t lose control of the ball.
The Sea Eagles went to a 10-0 lead after 17 minutes when they created an overlap on the left for experienced winger Jorge Taufua to roll his way over the line to get the ball down. Humphreys failed to convert.
The Bears hit back when second-rower Jordin Leui hit a hole off a short pass from full-back Ethan King to score near the posts. Winger Tom Carr converted for a 10-6 scoreline after 24 minutes.
A penalty goal to Humphreys saw the Sea Eagles extend their lead to 12-6 after 29 minutes.
The Sea Eagles extended to their lead with a superb team try to Ethan Bullemore after the ball travelled through several pairs of hands. Humphreys converted for an 18-6 lead.
Bullemor grabbed his second try in the 57th minute when he showed great desperation to chase down a smart grubber kick by Humphreys to plant the ball down for a 22-6 lead.
The Bears reduced the margin to 12 when Lachlan Lam crossed out wide after Carr caught a bomb from half-back Sandon Smith to offload to Lam. Carr converted for a 22-12 scoreline with 11 minutes remaining.
Carr then dived over in the corner six minutes later for a 22-16 scoreline after the Bears shifted the ball quickly to the left through several sets of hands.
