Newtown Rugby League Football Club - Established 1908
Rd24 - Jets snatch last-minute victory from the Wolves [22-20]

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Match details

3.00 pm, Saturday, 21 August 2010

Henson Park

Meet the players

Photographic highlights

View the game in photos on Gary Sutherland's site.

NSW Cup ladder

The Newtown Jets have proven once again to be the Great Escape artists of the 2010 NSW Cup competition. After trailing the Windsor Wolves 14-12 at halftime at Henson Park on Saturday, and still behind by 20-18 into the last minute of play, Jets winger, Troy Savage, ripped through several attempted tackles to deliver Newtown another heart-stopping victory by 22 points to 20.

The win keeps Newtown in first place on the NSW Cup competition table and ensures a blockbuster away match against second-placed Canterbury-Bankstown next Saturday.

Windsor hold lead through first half with Jets in catch up mode

Windsor had all the early possession and momentum in the opening exchanges and led 6-0 after eight minutes. Newtown drew level in the 25th minute when hooker, James Aubusson, plunged over from dummy-half after good leadup work by second-rower, Aidan Guerra, and in the wake of a sensational midfield burst by giant front-rower, Ryan Verlinden.

The Wolves regained the lead with a try from a perfectly-directed grubber kick into the in-goal zone and they extended their leading margin to 14-6 through a penalty goal.

The Jets finished the first half on an upbeat note when tall centre, Tom Symonds, scored following constructive approach play by five-eighth, Johnathon Ford, and halfback, Liam Foran.

Jets take lead then fall behind in second half

Newtown took the lead for the first time in the game five minutes into the second half as the powerhouse Ryan Verlinden crashed over after taking a perfect pass from front-rower, Tinirau Arona.

Jets centre, Tu'u Maori, landed his third conversion to give Newtown an 18-14 advantage.

The Jets dominated possession and territory in the third quarter but lacked the necessary precision of execution and variation in attack to crack open the Wolves' defensive line.

An attempted miracle pass in midfield turned possession over to Windsor, resulting in the Wolves drawing level at 18-all. The visitors edged ahead 20-18 through a penalty goal ten minutes out from fulltime.

Another last-minute victory

It all looked as if the Jets were about to pay the ultimate price for their below-average completion rate and repeated dropped ball, but in what turned out to be the last play of the day, Johnathon Ford and Tu'u Maori combined for the solidly-built Troy Savage to salvage another last minute win for the Jets, this time in front of the season's biggest crowd at Henson Park.

Coach's assessment

Newtown coach, Greg Matterson, noted his team's obvious shortcomings in his post-match analysis - the poor match completion rate, dropped ball, pushed passes and flawed execution, but praised his players' ability to make metres from out of their own end, and most of all, the team's undoubted competitiveness and uncanny ability to "get out of jail".

Tough front-rower, Tinirau Arona, claimed another Man of the Match award and hooker, Keith Peters, was the best of the other forwards.

Centre, Tom Symonds, gave a strong performance in both attack and defence, despite this being his comeback match from an extended layoff through injury. Winger, Troy Savage, confirmed his status as the competition's form winger.

 

Troy Savage hurdles defender and plunges over line for the match-winning try.

Match summary

Newtown Jets 22 [James Aubusson, Tom Symonds, Troy Savage, Ryan Verlinden tries; Tu'u Maori 3 goals]

Windsor Wolves 20 [3 tries, 3 goals, 1 penalty goal]

Half-time: Windsor led 14-12

Officials: Referee, Gerard Sutton; Touch Judges, John Woods, Peter Sciberras.
Weather: Fine, sunny, cold southerly blowing in the first half.

Next game

The Newtown Jets clash with neighbours and old foes Canterbury-Bankstown at the Crest Stadium, Bass Hill next Saturday, 28 August, in a match that may well decide the 2010 NSW Cup minor premiership. This 25th round NSW Cup fixture is timed to start at 3.00pm.


Who played?

1 Chris Tuatara-Morrison
Sponsored by Scott Corporation
2 Sonny Tuigamala
Sponsored by Golden Barley Hotel, Marrickville
3 Tom Symonds [T1]
Sponsored by Charles Bailey, Ray White Inner West
4 Tu'u Maori [G3]
Sponsored by Craig Leonard
5 Troy Savage [T1]
Sponsored by Golden Barley Hotel, Marrickville
6 Johnathon Ford
Sponsored by Steve Helmich
7 Liam Foran
Sponsored by Brett Scelly
14 Tinirau Arona
Sponsored by Good Fellows
22 James Aubusson [T1]
Sponsored by BRI Ferrier
10 Ray Moujalli
Sponsored by Dave Nelson
11 Brad Barrett
Sponsored by LHD Lawyers
12 Aidan Guerra
Sponsored by Matthew Borg
13 Jason Baitieri ©
Sponsored by Jennifer Malone

Interchange

8 James Koloamatangi
Sponsored by John Cahill
9 Keith Peters
Sponsored by Soil N Stuff
16 Brad Takairangi
Sponsored by Undercover Music
17 Ryan Verlinden [T1]
Sponsored by Trevor & AJ Folsom
15 Jason Wells [DNP}
Sponsored by De Bortoli Wines

Coach: Greg Matterson

Coach: Greg Matterson