Newtown Rugby League Football Club - 1908-2008
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Match details & team sheet3.00 pm, Saturday, 13 SeptemberNSW Cup ladder [end of last round] Victorious Jets go straight through to the Preliminary FinalThe Newtown Jets have advanced straight into the Preliminary Finals round of the VB NSW Cup, following their 30-16 victory over Windsor in the Qualifying Semi-Final played at Henson Park on Saturday. Upset results in other NSW Cup finals matches, including the minor premiers North Sydney losing to 8th placed Balmain, have ensured the Jets a place in the Preliminary Finals round in two weeks time. The Newtown-Windsor match was played in unseasonably warm conditions that clearly affected both teams. Jets' victory at risk early in first halfThe Jets looked to be in real trouble when the Wolves dominated possession and territory early in the game, especially when they breezed through some shoddy Newtown on-line defence for the game's first try. A series of penalties put Newtown under pressure for an extended period as the big Windsor pack pounded the Newtown defences. The Jets steadied and replied with tries to back-rower Jimmy Andersen in the 26th minute and a sizzling 70 metres effort from centre Mitch Aubusson four minutes before half-time. Windsor led 12-10 at the break and given the eventual results in the other NSW Cup finals, the season was on the line for both clubs.
Coach sets up second half strategy in half-time speechJets coach Greg Matterson predicted that if Newtown could stay the pace and withstand the physicality of the bruising Windsor forwards, the oppressive conditions would ultimately work in the Jets favour. Newtown opened the second-half scoring through winger Byron Ford but conceded another soft try to the Wolves only five minutes later. Newtown gradually gained ascendencyThe scores were deadlocked at 16-all midway through the second half but the Jets took the lead through Aubusson's second try following good lead-up work from prop Frank-Paul Nuuausala and halfback Ben Jones. The outcome remained on the proverbial knife's edge until Mitch Aubusson's third try only six minutes from fulltime, after the ball had been moved through several pairs of hands. Byron Ford's second try with only two minutes left to play applied the finishing touches to an impressive and hard-earned win against very committed opposition.
Player performancesNewtown's best forwards were Steve Meredith, Rory Kostjasyn (who completed another tackling marathon), Marty Kennedy and Hep Cahill. Young Jake Friend made a very useful NSW Cup debut. Mitch Aubusson (3 tries), Byron Ford (2 tries), Toshio Laiseni and Ben Jones were the best of the backline division. Browse the growing gallery of young players who have worn the royal blue in 2008. Next gameThe Newtown Jets now have a fortnight off and will meet the winner of the North Sydney-Western Suburbs elimination semi-final, with the NSW Rugby League to confirm the NSW Cup Preliminary Finals program early this week. Match summaryNewtown Jets: 30 Windsor Wolves: 16 Weather: Fine, very warm. |
NSW Cup ladder Who played?
Coach: Greg Matterson |
© Newtown Jets RLFC 2006