Match details
3.00 pm, Saturday, 22 May 2010
Henson Park
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Photographic highlights
Video highlights - Newtown Jets v Melbourne Storm
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NSW Cup ladder [end of last round]
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The Newtown Jets and Melbourne Storm provided a display at Henson Park on Saturday that was a superb advertisement for the second-tier level of Rugby League football.
A wonderful tussle between two well-matched teams
Newtown won 24-10 after leading 12-0 at half-time, and had to survive a determined fightback by the Storm in the second half. The Jets pulled clear with two late tries, including one of the best individual tries seen at Henson Park in many years.
Both teams gave everything in a match that featured creative attacking play, full-blooded defence, ferocious physical confrontations and some brilliant individual efforts. Newtown led 12-0 at the break through tries to winger, Kane Linnett, and five-eighth, Johnathon Ford, and had to defend grimly for extended periods when the Storm tested their on-line defence.
Ford made a magnificent try-saving tackle on the Storm back-rower and former Newtown player Hep Cahill, in a period of play when there several near misses for the boys from Bleak City.
Storm fightback thwarted by individual brilliance
The Storm scored early in the second half to trail 12-4, and much of the second half was an absorbing duel between two well-drilled teams giving nothing away in defence.
Melbourne pulled back to within two points of Newtown after scoring in almost freakish circumstances in the 67th minute.
Two minutes later Newtown fullback Luke Towers scored an exceptional individual try, carrying the ball from his own twenty-metre line and beating several defenders with top speed, guile and changes of pace.
Watch Luke Towers's scintillating try on YouTube
Ironically the Storm had been pressing hard on Newtown's line just seconds before Towers gained possession.
Melbourne redoubled their efforts to bridge the gap but Johnathon Ford capped a fine game with a well-directed kick into the Storm's in-goal, with the last-minute touch-down being effected by none other than the mercurial Towers.
Coach's assessment
Jets coach Greg Matterson praised his team's stoic defensive effort and their improved ball control. It was a good all-round team performance against very committed and skilful opponents. He added that the Jets needed to use this match as a benchmark for the tough draw ahead in upcoming weeks.
This win puts the Jets into third place on the ladder, in what is a very tightly-packed NSW Cup competition table.
Player performances
Newtown's hard-working quartet of front-rowers - Khalid Deeb, Martin Kennedy, Mose Masoe and Ryan Verlinden - were the Jets' best forwards on a day where every team member contributed.
Hooker, Keith Peters, second-rower, Brad Takairangi, and lock and captain, Jason Baitieri, also had strong games.
Halves Liam Foran and Johnathon Ford worked together well, and Toyota Cup centre, BJ Leilua, made an impressive debut in senior football.
Winger, Kane Linnett, made a successful return from injury and the other flanker, Tu'u Maori, kicked three conversions and a penalty goal. Fullback Luke Towers, distinguished himself with two tries and a most timely intercept that stymied a try-scoring raid by the Storm.
Match summary
Newtown Jets 24 [Luke Towers 2, Kane Linnett, Johnathon Ford tries; Tu'u Maori 3 goals, 1 penalty goal]
Melbourne Storm 10 [2 tries; 1 goal]
Half-time: Jets led 12-0
Officials: Grant Aitkins, referee, Lawrence McDonnell, Matt Damaso, touch judges.
Next game
The Jets travel to the icy north-west next Saturday, 29 May, to take on the fourth-placed Windsor wolves. The match kicks off at 6.00pm at the Windsor Sports Complex, corner Rifle Range Rd & George St, South Windsor.
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