Match details
3.00 pm, Saturday, 17 July 2010
Henson Park
Meet the players
Photographic highlights
NSW Cup ladder [end of last round]
Special commemoration before game
Before the game, the last post was played, followed by a minute's silence, to honour two World War I Australian diggers who played for Newtown and who died at Fromelles.
Read their story.
The Newtown Jets toughed it out for a 28-16 win against the Brett Kenny-coached Wentworthville in the 19th round NSW Cup match played at Henson Park last Saturday.
With a number of players unavailable through injury and suspension, the Jets had to call on three players from the Sydney Roosters under 20's squad to put a full team onto the field.
This was one of those mid-winter games that teams determined to go places in the finals have to win, and the Jets had the necessary firepower to claim another two valuable competition points in what was a very tough physical contest.
Newtown led 16-4 at halftime, with Wentworthville's only try being scored in the last minute of the first half.
The Jets had their share of luck in this game, as Wenty had two tries disallowed in the first half and a third try-scoring attempt was thwarted by a wonderful defensive effort from Newtown winger, Troy Savage.
The Jets looked to be better organised in attack but whatever limitations Wenty might have shown with the ball were balanced out by their desperation to stay in the fight for a finals place.
Player performances
The Jets were best served by backrowers, Jason Baitieri, Brad Barrett and Aidan Guerra who all worked doubly-hard in defence and with the ball.
Front-rowers, James Koloamatangi and Lopini Paea, carved out valuable metres when they were most needed and the halves, Johnathon Ford and Liam Foran, worked together effectively.
Jets centres, Chris Tuatara-Morrison and Tu'u Maori and winger Troy Savage combined superbly for Newtown's first try in the second half.
Coach Greg Matterson praised the efforts of the three Roosters youngsters, Watson Namoa, John Leiataua and Hughie Stanley who all made solid contributions after joining the team late in the week.
Match summary
Newtown Jets 28 [Hughie Stanley 2, Aidan Guerra, Troy Savage, Tu'u Maori, Luke Towers, tries; Chris Tuatara-Morrison 2 goals]
Wentworthville Magpies 16 [3 tries; 2 goals]
Halftime: Newtown led 16-4.
Officials: Referee, Gavin Reynolds; Touch Judges, Matt Hawkins, Matt Damaso.
Next game
The Newtown Jets travel away this coming Sunday, 25 July, to play the St George-Illawarra feeder club Shellharbour Dragons at the Ron Costello Oval, Shellharbour, with this 20th round NSW Cup match timed to start at 3.00pm.
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