Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles suffered a heavy 52-12 loss to the second placed Canberra Raiders at GIO Stadium tonight in round 23 of The Knock On Effect NSW Cup.
The Raiders are one of the premiership heavyweights and completed dominated Blacktown Workers from the outset to finish the game with nine tries to two.
It was the second consecutive week Blacktown had conceded 50 points in a game.
Canberra dominated the first half to run in six tries to one and at one stage, led 34-0 before the Sea Eagles crossed shortly before half-time in a game played after Manly's impressive NRL win over Canberra.
With little to play for in coming weeks, the ninth placed Blacktown Workers were hoping for some inspiration after being given a guard of honour from the Sea Eagles first grade team as they ran out.
Experienced NRL prop Matthew Lodge was a welcome addition in his first game back since suffering a bicep injury against the Brisbane Broncos in round 11. He finished the match with a try.
Canberra half-back Mitch Henderson opened the scoring in the first minute with a try after good work by centre James Schiller and full-back Chevy Stewart for a 6-0 lead.
The Raiders made it 12-0 after seven minutes through a converted try to Jordan Martin after he barged over off a short ball.
A nice backline play from Canberra saw Stewart burst through off an inside ball from Henderson for a 16-0 lead after 12 minutes.
A converted try to Schiller made it 22-0 after 24 minutes before hooker Danny Levi scored two converted tries in three minutes for a 34-0 lead after 31 minutes.
The Sea Eagles got on the board when they spread the ball right for full-back Clayton Faulalo to step back inside for a converted try in the 34th minute to trail 34-6 at the break.
Canberra started the second half strongly with a try to Manaia Waitere in the opening minute for a 40-6 lead before Martin crashed over out wide for his second. Henderson converted for a 46-6 lead after 54 minutes.
The Raiders reached the half century when Waitere sliced through the middle to race away for a converted try for a 52-6 lead with seven minutes remaining.
Lodge was rewarded for his hard work with a try two minutes later when he crashed over next to the posts to leave Blacktown Workers trailing 52-12 after Jaxson Paulo converted.
Blacktown Workers now play the fifth placed Warriors at 4 Pines Park on Saturday, August 17, at 12.30pm in their third last game of the season.
