Two tries to centre Jaxson Paulo has help lift Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles to a thrilling 28-22 win over the Warriors at 4 Pines Park today in The Knock On Effect NSW Cup.
Blacktown Workers bounced back in the best way possible after a heavy loss to Canberra last week to upset the fourth placed Warriors in a game they deserved to win after leading 16-0 at half-time.
The ninth-placed Sea Eagles got off to a fast start in attack and were rewarded with a try in the seventh minute when lock Matthew Lodge used his strength to crash over under the posts for a 6-0 lead.
A break out wide by second-rower Corey Waddell saw him find support in full-back Clayton Faulalo to send centre Jaxson Paulo over in the corner for a 10-0 lead after 11 minutes.
Five minutes later, Manly went to a 16-0 lead when prop Aitasi James crashed over next to the posts.
The Warriors started the second half well with a converted try four minutes after half-time to centre Moala Graham-Taufa for a 16-6 scoreline.
Eddie Ieremia-Toeava then dived over for the Warriors after splitting two defenders to score near the posts for a 16-12 scoreline.
The Warriors drew when Moala Graham-Taufa dived over in the left corner off a short pass to make it 16-all with 20 minutes to go.
Manly regained the lead with 15 minutes remaining after half-back Jamie Humphreys pushed off a defender to score in the corner. He converted his own try from the sideline for a 22-16 lead with 12 minutes remaining.
The Warriors drew level at 22-all with seven minutes remaining with a converted try to second-rower Jacob Laban behind the posts.
Paulo crossed for his second try when he contested a crossfield kick to outleap two defenders to take the ball to score next to the posts with two minutes remaining for the 28-22 lead.
The Sea Eagles now play the Western Suburbs Magpies at Lidcombe Oval on Saturday, August 24.
Sea Eagles 28 (Jaxson Paulo 2, Matthew Lodge, Aitasi James, Jamie Humphreys tries; Humphreys 3 goals, Clayton Faulalo goal) d Warriors 22.
