Match details
3.00 pm, Saturday, 18 February 2012
Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Pembroke Rd, Leumeah
- 3.30pm Jets V Tigers
- 5.15pm Wests Tigers v Roosters Toyota Cup
- 7.30pm Wests Tigers v Roosters Foundation Cup match [NRL Trial]
Browse moment-by-moment game action in Gary Sutherland's match gallery.
Bumper match report
The Balmain Tigers played host to the Newtown Jets in a NSW Cup trial match at Campbelltown Stadium last Saturday, with the game being played over four twenty-minute quarters.
The Newtown coaching staff took the opportunity to give all of their available players plenty of game time to allow them to press their claims for selection.
Strong first half
Newtown led 12-0 at the end of the first quarter and 18-6 at halftime but the second half belonged to the Tigers, as they scored six tries to two to claim a 36-30 victory.
The match was played in warm, humid conditions and the Jets looked impressive in the first half, with all three of their tries involving good support play and well-directed passing.
Halfback Blake Davies has proven to be the golden boots of the pre-season, converting all five Newtown tries on Saturday including three from the sideline.
Jets brought undone by ordinary second half
The game's fortunes swung very much in Balmain's favour in the second half, as they dominated territory and possession and made the Jets' online defence look very ragged at times.
Newtown's best moment in a mistake-riddled third quarter was when the Jets forwards made a succession of determined drives towards the Tigers tryline and crisp passing saw prop Isaac Liu score under the posts.
The Jets' disappointing second half was a contrast to their solid performance against Canterbury on the previous weekend. Newtown's combination of midfield penalties and impetuous off-loads conceded Balmain a lot of ball in favourable field position.
The Jets tried to retrieve the game with some spirited play late in the fourth quarter and the Trotter brothers combined for a try that put the Jets back to within two points of the Tigers.
Coach's assessment Coach Greg Matterson pointed to a lack of discipline by his players and what seemed to be a complacent mindset that allowed the game to slip away.
Match summary
Newtown 30 [Sam Latu, Nick Ehsman, Reece Jaeger, Isaac Liu, James Trotter tries; Blake Davies 5 goals]
Balmain 36 [7 tries, 4 goals]
Halftime: Newtown led 18-6.
Don't miss Trial 4
Newtown have secured a trial game against the Wentworthville Magpies to make up for the cancellation of the 2012 first trial against the Bears.
Friday, 24th February 2012
New Era Stadium, Cabramatta
Kick-Off: 7.00pm.
|