The lowly-placed Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles have handed the Vodafone Warriors just their second loss of the season in today's 14th-round Intrust Super Premiership encounter in west Sydney.
After bolting to a 24-6 lead at halftime, the Sea Eagles prevailed 30-12 to register just their fourth win of the season.
The Vodafone Warriors were off their game throughout, especially in the opening 40 minutes when the Sea Eagles laid on four tries.
The match was just two minutes in when wing Peter Schuster had the first of his two tries.
It seemed the Vodafone Warriors had settled into their work when a Mason Lino kick wasn't covered, presenting wing Paulos Latu with a touchdown. Lino's conversion had it locked up at 6-6 and the scene was set for a slugfest.
It never eventuated as the home side scored three tries in the space of 15 minutes through wing Maliko Filino, second rower Jarrad Kennedy and Schuster again. Jackson Hastings was in the groove converting all four to leave a score-line which belied the relative ladder positions of the 11th-placed Sea Eagles and the second-ranked Vodafone Warriors.
There was no immediate improvement after the break for the Vodafone Warriors. They held firm for the first 15 minutes as they sought to grind their way back into it.
Instead the Sea Eagles went further ahead when ex-Vodafone Warriors Jonathan Wright scored and Hastings converted for a 30-6 advantage.
All the Vodafone Warriors had to show for their efforts in the second half was a late try to second rower Isaiah Papali'i.
They have the first of their byes next week.
MATCH DETAILS
H E Laybutt Sports Field, Blacktown
Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles 30 (Peter Schuster 2, Maliko Filino, Jarrad Kennedy, Jonathan Wright tries; Jackson Hastings 5 conversions).
Vodafone Warriors 12 (Paulos Latu, Isaiah Papali'i tries; Mason Lino 2 conversions).
Halftime: 24-6 Sea Eagles.
Vodafone Warriors | Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad; Paulos Latu, Junior Pauga, Semisi Fotu, Manu Vatuvei; Sam Cook, Mason Lino (c); Charlie Gubb, Jazz Tevaga, Ligi Sao; Bunty Afoa, Isaiah Papali'i; James Bell. Interchange: Toafofoa Sipley, Chris Satae, Patrick Sipley, Manaia Cherrington.
