Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles suffered a 24-16 loss to the Western Suburbs Magpies at Campbelltown Sports Stadium today in round eight of the NSW Cup.
The match saw the first taste of an exciting young spine for the Sea Eagles comprising of full-back Kaeo Weekes, five-eighth Latu Fainu, half-back Jamie Humphreys and hooker Gordon Chan Kum Tong.
It was Fainu's NSW Cup debut after coming up from Manly's SG Ball and Jersey Flegg side
Blacktown scored the first points in the eighth minute through forward Ben Condon after a strong run, in which he spun out of a tackle from three defenders to score under the posts. Halfback Jamie Humphreys converted for an early 6-0 lead.
The Magpies’ fortunes were going from bad to worse, with an error from winger Liam Scolari followed by prop Aitasi James being sin-binned in the 11th minute for a professional foul after swatting the ball away whilst in an offside position.
Despite being a man-down, the home team hit back two minutes later with a try through lock Justin Matamua after a smart inside ball from five-eighth Will Smith. Smith converted the try from in front to level the scores at 6-all.
Sea Eagles lock Dean Matterson turned the jets on in the 20th minute with a stunning run from 35 metres out, fooling the defence with a dummy and breaking through the line, only to be dragged down at the line and losing the ball in trying to score.
Magpies second-rower Brandon Mansfield scored two minutes later after pushing off his opposing player with a strong run after good work from Daine Laurie. The try was converted for a 12-6 lead.
Blacktown back-rower Jacob Sykes was forced from the field with a HIA from the re-start..
The teams were trading tries as Blacktown hit the scoreboard for their second try through winger Clayton Faulalo in the 29th minute. Matterson was influential once again, throwing a cut-out pass to find centre Jackson Ferris, who timed the pass perfectly to send Faulalo over untouched. Humphreys' conversion attempt from the touchline hit the right upright as the Magpies maintained a 12-10 lead.
With seconds remaining in the half, Smith converted a penalty goal for a 14-10 lead to Wests at half-time.
Both sides were their own worst enemy as penalties and errors riddled the next 15 minutes of action as the tight encounter continued.
The Sea Eagles finally cracked the defence and found the tryline through centre Fletcher Myers in the 60th minute. Humphreys was a key highlight for the try, breaking out of a tackle at the 30-metre line before bursting deep into the Magpies’ territory. The halfback timed his pass to Myers who was dragged down just at the line, with enough space to reach out and ground the ball. Humphreys converted to give Manly a 16-14 lead.
Western Suburbs replied four minutes later through back-rower Shawn Blore who ran hard at the line after a short ball from Laurie. Smith converted to give Wests a 20-16 lead.
The Magpies sealed victory when second-rower Brandon Mansfield crashed over out wide with two minutes remaining for a 24-16 lead.
Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles have a bye in Round 9 of the NSW Cup.
