Jets' near misses prove costly against the Panthers [4-22]
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Saturday, 16 June, 5.15 pm
The Newtown Jets have slipped out of the VB Premier League top eight on points for and against, following their 22-4 loss to the third-placed Penrith Panthers at CUA Stadium on Saturday evening.
The match was played in cold and showery conditions on a playing surface that was in excellent shape given the heavier rain of previous days.
What could have been...
The Jets had several late changes to their team line-up but fought hard all the way through this match, trailing by 14-4 with fewer than ten minutes remaining. Two late tries to the Panthers blew out the final scoreline.
Three disallowed tries proved very costly for the Jets – one from a marginally forward pass, another when referee Shortall ruled that the ball had not been grounded and a third for a double-movement.
Newtown had the advantage of a southerly breeze in the first half but didn't make best use of it, trailing by 12-0 at half-time.
Both teams made plenty of handling errors in the cold, slippery conditions. The second half was a dour struggle with the only points in nearly 35 minutes of play coming from a try to Jets fullback Shaun Foley and a penalty goal to the Panthers.
Player performances
Newtown was best served by hooker George Ndaira who provided most of the attacking flair and inspiration, and he received strong support from fellow packmen Mickey Paea and Adam Schubert.
Former Queensland State of Origin representative Chris Beattie and Roosters Jersey Flegg centre Antonio Winterstein made their debuts for Newtown on a night that was never going to be an easy playing assignment.
Summary results
Penrith 22: 4 tries, 2 conversions, 1 penalty goal
Newtown 4: Shaun Foley try
Half-Time: Penrith led 12-0.
Next week - Beat the Crowd Day at home game against Eels
The Jets return to Henson Park next Saturday (June 23rd) in another face-off with the 2006 premiers Parramatta. The Newtown club has designated next Saturday as "Beat the Crowd Day" and sends out a call to all Newtown supporters to help set a new crowd record for Henson Park since the Jets last played there as a NSWRL first grade entity in 1983.
Special features for the day include two for one adult's gate entry, free entry for all Roosters and Eels NRL season ticket holders, special attractions for children plus a cash raffle prize. Next Saturday afternoon's important match with the Parramatta Eels is timed to kick off at 3.00pm.
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