Newtown Rugby League Football Club - Established 1908
Rd8 - Poor second half can't prevent Jets victory over Bulldogs [14-12]

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Match details

3.00 pm, Saturday, 1 May 2010

Henson Park

Meet the players

Photographic highlights

Video highlights - Newtown Jets v Canterbury Bulldogs

NSW Cup ladder [end of last round]

Home Game Raffle Sponsor - Car Care Products

Match was covered live on 100.1FM and streamed live on the Triple H FM website.

The Newtown side was led onto the field by one of their most fervent young fans, Jack Kelly.
Photo by Jason McCawley [0414 994 702]

Jets topple the competition front-runners

A week can make a big difference in Rugby League fortunes, as the Newtown Jets showed when they put their previous week's poor form against Balmain behind them in beating the competition leaders Canterbury-Bankstown at Henson Park on Saturday.

The Jets turned on a much-improved first half display and led 14-0 at the break. Both teams made plenty of errors in the second half but the Bulldogs scored two converted tries to trail by 14-12, with Newtown desperately defending this narrow margin in the game's final moments.

Strong first half established the winning points

Newtown's first half completion rate was an exceptional 96%, but the Jets could have made better use of the large amount of possession and favourable field position they enjoyed. Once again Newtown's kicking game was erratic, plus there were two missed try-scoring opportunities that would have extended Newtown's lead.

Performance of both teams fell away in second half

The Jets' second half performance was marred by poor discipline, with penalties being incurred late in the tackle count as well as a couple of penalties conceded when the Jets were in possession.

To some extent, Newtown invited the Bulldogs back into the contest and can count themselves somewhat lucky to have held on against the competition leaders, highlighted by several try-saving tackles being made in the last ten minutes.

Coach's assessment

Jets coach, Greg Matterson, said that his team showed the class of disciplined performance in the first half that they were capable of against strong opposition. They would have to put two good halves together in future games in order to beat other major premiership contenders.

He repeated earlier demands for his players to complete their own sets more effectively and to prevent their opponents from getting to the kick on their final tackle.

Player performances

Giant prop, Mose Masoe, had his best game yet in the Newtown colours and deservedly won the man of the match award. Other forwards to play well were hooker and team captain, Keith Peters, Khalid Deeb and Tinirau Arona. James Koloamatangi made valuable metres when they were most needed in those final desperate minutes of the second half.

Luke Towers, Tu'u Maori and Johnathon Ford were the best of Newtown's backs.

Match summary

Newtown Jets 14 [Liam Foran, Tu'u Maori, Luke Towers tries; Chris Tuatara-Morrison 1 goal]

Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs 12 [2 tries; 2 goals]

Next game

The Newtown Jets travel away next Saturday, 8 May, to take on the Newcastle Knights' partnership club, the Central Coast Centurions. This Round 9 NSW Cup match is at the Morrie Breen Oval, Gorokan (right next to Wyong Leagues Club), and kicks off at 3.00pm.



Who played?

1 Luke Towers [T1]
Sponsored by Scott Corporation
2 Johnathon Ford
Sponsored by Golden Barley Hotel, Marrickville
3 Chris Tuatara-Morrison [G1]
Sponsored by Chris Bailey, Ray White Inner West
4 Tu'u Maori [T1]
Sponsored by Labelcraft, Leichhardt
5 Troy Savage
Sponsored by Golden Barley Hotel, Marrickville
6 Russell Aitken
Sponsored by LHD Lawyers
7 Liam Foran [T1]
Sponsored by Brett Scelly
8 Mose Masoe
Sponsored by John Cahill
9 Keith Peters
Sponsored by Soil N Stuff
10 Khalid Deeb
Sponsored by Steve Helmich
11 Brad Barrett
Sponsored by Undercover Music
12 Brad Takairangi
Sponsored by Matthew Borg
13 Ray Moujalli
Sponsored by Dave Nelson

Interchange

14 Tinirau Arona
Sponsored by Craig Leonard
15 Daniel Fepuleai
Sponsored by BRI Ferrier
19 Jason Wells
Sponsored by Trevor & AJ Folsom
21 Ryan Verlinden
Sponsored by Good Fellows
23 James Koloamatangi
Sponsored by Earlwood Auto Electrical & Mechanical Repairs
18 Charlie Herekotukutuku
Sponsored by Labelcraft, Leichhardt

Coach: Greg Matterson