Qualifying Final One: The Jets find the Minor Premiers a tougher proposition

Newtown was well beaten by Mounties 30-12 in the First Qualifying Final at Penrith yesterday, but they live to fight another day. The Jets will play the New Zealand Warriors in an elimination semi-final at Penrith next Sunday, 11^th September, with the kick-off at 6.35pm. (This game will be shown live on Fox Sports).

Mounties 30:

Zac Santo 2, Scott Sorenson, Kato Ottio, Brenko Lee tries;

Maurice Kennedy 5 goals

defeated

Newtown 12:

Matt McIlwrick, Fa’amanu Brown tries;

Fa’amanu Brown 2 goals.

Half-Time: Mounties led 16-6.

Referee: Adam Devcich. Touch Judges: Jay Farlow and Mitchell Stone.

Playing surface at Pepper Stadium: Excellent.

Weather:  Sunny, partly cloudy, south-westerly wind, 20 degrees C.

Details of Newtown’s next match:

NSWRL Intrust Super Premiership NSW – Elimination Semi-Final

Pepper Stadium, Penrith

Sunday, 11^th September 2016

Newtown v New Zealand Warriors

Kick-Off: 6.35pm.

This match will be shown live on Fox Sports.

Newtown’s team on Saturday was:

Jaline Graham, Travis Robinson, Keenan Yorston, Matt Evans, Jacob Gagan, Josh Cleeland, Fa’amanu Brown, Junior Roqica, Matt McIlwrick (Capt), Saulala Houma, Anthony Moraitis, Malakai Houma, Jason Schirnack.

Bench: Kurt Dillon, Kurt Kara, Harrison Muller, Kenny Niko.

Coach: Greg Matterson.

Mounties team was:

Zac Santo, Kato Ottio, Brenko Lee, Eddie Aiono, Brent Naden, Sam Duggan, Maurice Kennedy, Rhys Kennedy, Adam Clydsdale, Jeff Lima, Jarrad Kennedy, Scott Sorenson, Shaun Fensom.

Bench: Jarrod Brackenhofer, Willie Mataka, Royce Hunt, Sonny Bristow.

Coach: Steve Antonelli.

Other ISP NSW Finals results this weekend:

Illawarra Cutters 32 d Wests Tigers 22; Wyong 19 d Canterbury-Bankstown 18; New Zealand Warriors 21 d Penrith 14.

(Canterbury-Bankstown and Penrith have been eliminated).

Gary Sutherland’s photos from the Newtown-Mounties match:  http://www.pbase.com/gsphotography/newtown_vs_mounties_final030916&page=all

And Mario Facchini’s photos: http://mafphotography.blogspot.com/2016/09/intrust-super-premiership-2016-finals.html?spref=tw

The timeline for Saturday’s game:

First half:

Mounties kicked off to the Penrith Paceway (northern) end of the ground.

Both Houma brothers looked impressive running on to the ball in the early minutes.

6^th min: Jarrad Kennedy makes a break and sends Zac Santo in next to the posts.

Poor numbering up by the Jets.

Maurice Kennedy converts. Mounties lead 6-0.

Veteran front-rower Jeff Lima puts a big hit on Saulala Houma.

Travis Robinson pushed into touch.

Mounties defence structure is working well.

Newtown has plenty of possession but not making much headway.

15^th min: Jets penalised for obstruction and denied a try.

Mounties look dangerous whenever they’re at Newtown’s end.

Jaline Graham penalised for a high shot which was debatable.

23^rd min: Great offload by Lima to Shaun Fensom who sends Scott Sorenson over near the posts.

Mounties pack achieving more when in possession.

24^th min: Try converted by Maurice Kennedy. Mounties lead 12-0.

28^th min: Lima takes on the line and gets another good offload away.

Leading try-scorer Kato Ottio has plenty of work to do but scores in the north-eastern corner.

Try not converted. Mounties lead 16-0.

31^st min: Ottio is injured and is carried from the field.

34^th min: Malakai Houma charges down a kick and recovers the ball.

35^th min: Jets make several drives through the middle.

Matt McIlwrick goes himself and scores next to the right-hand southern upright.

36^th min: Try converted by Fa’amanu Brown. Mounties lead 16-6.

Jarrad Kennedy and Scott Sorenson have been effective for Mounties in the first half.

Malakai Houma has been one of Newtown’s best forwards.

Mounties attacking Newtown’s line right on halftime.

Half-Time: Mounties lead 16-6.

Mounties dominated in the first 30 minutes.

Second half:

43^rd min: Maurice Kennedy kicks a penalty goal. Mounties lead 18-6.

48^th min: Jets lose the ball on tackle one at their end, the last thing they needed.

Nu Brown reads the Mounties kick into the in-goal and gathers it in safely.

54^th min: Fensom pops a pass and Santo scores his second try, 15 metres in from the eastern touchline.

Try converted by Maurice Kennedy. Mounties lead 24-6.

Matt McIlwrick is giving a very strong display for Newtown.

59^th min: Travis Robinson goes close but tacked out in the north-west corner and is injured in the tackle.

Jason Schirnack has been another hard worker for Newtown.

64^th min: Brenko Lee breaks clear and runs 70 metres to score under the posts.

Converted by M. Kennedy. Mounties lead 30-6.

69^th min: Mounties force a repeat set when Newtown grounds a Mounties kick in the in-goal.

Lima does another good offload but the pass is ruled marginally forward.

72^nd min: Fa’amanu Brown beats three defenders and scores under the posts.

Brown converts his own try. Mounties lead 30-12.

Full-Time: Mounties win 30-12.

A most convincing win by the Minor Premiers who advance to the Preliminary Final.

Newtown survive to go into an Elimination Final situation against the New Zealand Warriors next Sunday.