Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles suffer narrow loss to Jets

BLACKTOWN Workers Sea Eagles had an agonising 16-14 loss to Newtown Jets in round one of the inaugural Intrust Super Premiership.

Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles fends off a Jets attack. Picture: Carmela Roche

Blacktown  Workers Sea Eagles had an agonising 16-14 loss to Newtown Jets in round one of the inaugural Intrust Super Premiership.

Blacktown’s defeat came despite the home side crossing the line more than Newtown.

“We scored three tries to two so it was disappointing,’’ Blacktown coach Pat Weisner said.

Two late penalties to Newtown ensured they pipped Blacktown but it was the high penalty count throughout the game that eroded their chance of registering a win at HE Laybutt Fields, Arndell Park.

“Fourteen penalties is quite high,’’ Weisner said.

“At the end that’s what cost us.’’

Weisner named Cameron Cullen as a standout performer after he orchestrated each of Blacktown’s tries.

Blacktown were on top going into half time. Picture: Carmela Roche.

Joseph Paulo and crafty play from Daniel Mortimer helped deliver the win for the Jets.

In wet conditions, Paulo, Tony Williams, Jeremy Latimore, Mortimer and Kurt Capewell lined up for the Jets, while the home side included Cullen, Joey Lussick, Jackson Hastings and Jonathan and Matthew Wright.

Blacktown scored first when some impressive work from Cullen sent Jonathan Wright over the line.

Blacktown fends off Newtown Jets.

Lussick added the extras from out wide to give his team a 6-0 advantage after 10 minutes.

Blacktown were on top going into half time with a 10-6 scoreline.

But Newtown did not relent and hooker Manaia Cherrington eventually got the team back in the game. The home side soon became their own worst enemies when they sent a kick-off out on the full, well and truly allowing the Jets back into the contest.

Weisner is confident his charges can turn around their form next week against North Sydney.

“If we play as well as we did on the weekend, we’ve got a chance,’’ he said.

Blacktown play the North Sydney Bears at HE Laybutt Fields on Saturday at 3pm.