An early start of four tries in the opening 20 minutes wasn’t enough for Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles in losing 36-16 to the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in the opening round of the NSW Cup at 4 Pines Park.
Jackson Ferris grabbed a double in the first 10 minutes as the side went out to a 16-0 lead. Momentum shifted and the Bulldogs scored 36 unanswered points to take the victory.
Despite early pressure from the Bulldogs, the Sea Eagles struck first after six minutes through winger Jackson Ferris to take an early 4-0 lead. The halves combined in the lead up to the try with halfback Troy Dargan throwing a sublime cut-out pass.
Only four minutes later and Blacktown were in again on the right edge through winger Jackson Ferris, scoring his second try to extend the lead to 8-0. Dargan placed a high kick up in the corner that troubled Canterbury winger Blake Wilson, forcing an error and allowing for the chasing Ferris to swoop in and ground the ball in the in-goal.
The Sea Eagles were flying and scored their third in the 15th minute with a well-worked inside-outside play from five-eighth Dean Matterson and second-rower Joshua Stuckey to send fullback Clayton Faulalo over for the 12-0 lead.
The Bulldogs defence was proving to be shaky as Blacktown continued to run riot, scoring their fourth try on the right edge through Matterson six minutes after their last for a 16-0 scoreline.
The five-eighth ran hard at the line and fooled the defence with a pump fake, being dragged down just short of the line but reaching over far enough to ground the ball.
Canterbury scored their first try in the 24th minute through hooker Ryan Gray next to the uprights. Halfback Josh Reynolds helped carry the momentum with a quick play the ball in the tackle prior and fullback Josh Papalii converted to bring the score to 16-6.
The Bulldogs bounced back and scored their second in a row six minutes later through winger Jayden Okunbor off the back of an inch perfect cross-field kick from Reynolds, unfortunately passing through the fingertips of winger Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega, to bring the score back within reach at 16-10.
Canterbury scored on the stroke of half-time through Papalii off the back of a strong run, dragging a few defenders over with him as he wrestled his way over. The fullback converted his own try from next to the posts to level the scores up at 16-all heading into the sheds for the break.
The away side came out with continued momentum in the second half and took the lead for the first time with a try from forward Lipoi Hopoi in the 43rd minute. The play came off a deflected kick from five-eighth Karl Oloapu and the big forward found himself in the right place at the right time. Papalii converted for a 22-16 scoreline.
Blacktown were denied a chance to level the scores in the 54th minute after a handful of set restarts at the Bulldogs’ tryline. Hard-hitting forward Ben Condon’s barnstorming run wasn’t enough to push his side forward as he was stopped just short of the line.
Two minutes later, Canterbury found themselves deep in the Sea Eagles’ half off the back of a lazy penalty. After a good shift in play from the five-eighth, centre Jeral Skelton crossed over for a try in the right corner. Papalii converted from the sideline to extend their lead out to 28-16.
The Bulldogs chose the safer option after being awarded a penalty and took a shot at two points. Papalii converted for a 30-16 scoreline with just under 20 minutes of play remaining.
Oloapu scored Canterbury’s sixth try in the 69th minute with a strong step off his left foot metres out from the line. Papalii converted to take the score to 36-16.
The Sea Eagles look to recover as they have a bye in Round 2 of the Knock-On Effect NSW Cup.
