Anthony Eltarraf
Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles seal a 38-28 win at HE Laybutt Sporting Complex in the opening round of the Ron Massey Cup.
The first try came just before the ten-minute mark through Kenny Soumpholphakdy, who filled in at centre for the injured John-Paul Nohra, touching down after a well-executed backline spread from the Sea Eagles. Masi Fidow converted the try to give his side an early six-point lead.
The home team extended their lead to two converted tries just nine minutes later when hooker Jospeh Tramontana cleverly found William Swann who scored between the posts.
The Sea Eagles continued their dominant first half performance with another lethal left-side spread, this time reaching winger Bailey King who scored in the corner. Fidow impressively converted again to give his side an 18-point lead.
It was all the home team in the first half, and a second try for Soumpholphakdy and one for Bailey Cantrill who fooled the opposition line with a dummy before touching down between the posts taking the Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles to a 28-0 lead at half time.
The second half began just as hard-hitting as the first, with the Sea Eagles continuing their dominance with Lorenzo Mulitalo scoring in the corner to increase the margin to thirty four.
The Kaiviti Silktails finally got on the scoreboard, through five-eighth Sunia Naruma, who finished off a fast counter-attack after a failed kick for touch. A second converted try for the Silktails came just six minutes later through Paula Walisoliso who scored near the sideline.
The Sea Eagles’ backline just seemed too much for the Silktails, as Bailey King went over in the corner for his second of the afternoon.
The Kaiviti Silktails refused to give up however, showcasing their fighting spirit scoring three tries in a row through Timoci Bola, Ratu Manoa Satala and Apakuki Tavodi.
The Silktails’ passion and perseverance was admirable to watch for all fans, however it proved too little too late for the Fijian side, as the Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles came away with the win, 38-28.
