Jets make an impressive start to the 2020 season

NewtownJets, the defending Canterbury Cup NSW premiers, defeated South Sydney 32-12 inthe opening competition round played at Metricon High Performance Centre(Redfern Oval) on Sunday afternoon.

SouthSydney opened the scoring with a converted try in the fourth minute and theRabbitohs then dominated possession and territory for most of the firstquarter.

TheJets took decisive control in the game’s second quarter with tries to RoyceHunt in the 19^th minute, Addison Demetriou (29^th minute),Jackson Ferris (33^rd minute) and the powerhouse Kayleb Milne on thestroke of halftime. Braydon Trindall converted all four tries for Newtown totake a commanding 24-6 lead into the break.

Predictably,South Sydney fought back hard in the second half but failed to breach thedisciplined Jets defence. Souths had the advantage of the breeze in the secondhalf but Newtown punished the Rabbitohs for a handling error at their own end,resulting in Teig Wilton racing in to score in the 57^th minute.

BraydonTrindall converted Wilton’s try and added a penalty goal in the 69^thminute, enabling Newtown to run out comfortable winners by 32-12.

CoachGreg Matterson praised his players in his post-match remarks, noting that thiswas Newtown’s first opening round win in several seasons. Matterson had made itclear to his pre-season squad that a slow start to the competition rounds (asin 2019) would not be countenanced.

Mattersoncommended those players on debut for the Jets on Sunday – John Olive, ZacWoolford, Kyle Paterson, Brock Gray and Royce Hunt.

Healso praised those players on duty on Sunday who had played in one or both ofNewtown’s 2019 finals victories – Jackson Ferris, Billy Magoulias (who reprisedanother of his miracle kicks yesterday), Braydon Trindall, Jayson Bukuya, TeigWilton, Siosifa Talakai, Wes Lolo and Daniel Vasquez.

Newtown’ssecond round match is against Canterbury-Bankstown next Saturday, 21^stMarch at Belmore Sports Ground at 3.30pm.

Newtown32:

RoyceHunt, Addison Demetriou, Jackson Ferris, Kayleb Milne, Teig Wilton tries;

BraydonTrindall 5 conversions and 1 penalty goal

defeated

South Sydney 12:
Blake Taaffe, Jaxson Paulo tries;

BlakeTaaffe 2 conversions.

Halftime:Newtown led 24-6.

Referee:Cameron Paddy.

AssistantReferee: Kieren Irons

TouchJudges: Adam Cassidy and Patrick Mackey.

Playingsurface: Excellent.

Weather:Mild, cloudy, 19 degrees. Heavy rain had fallen at intervals during the day.Southerly breeze.

Newtown’s team was:
Tyla Tamou, Jackson Ferris, Addison Demetriou, Jensen Taumoepeau, John Olive, Billy Magoulias, Braydon Trindall, Jayson Bukuya, Teig Wilton, Siosifa Talakai, Wes Lolo, Zac Woolford, Daniel Vasquez.

Bench:Kyle Paterson, Brock Gray, Royce Hunt, Kayleb Milne. Matt Stimson (reserve).

Coach:Greg Matterson.

SouthSydney:

CoreyAllan, Steven Marsters, Bryson Goodwin, Corey Denniss, Jaxson Paulo, TroyDargan, Blake Taaffe, Bayley Sironen, Jack Johns, Keaon Koloamatangi, KyRodwell, Josh Cook, Tom Amone.

Bench:Bronson Garlick, Kurt Dillon, Patrice Siolo, Ben Talty, Trent Peoples, JacobGagai.

Coach:Ben Rogers.

Newtown’snext game:

NSWRLCanterbury Cup NSW – Second Round

Saturday,21^st March 2020

BelmoreSports Ground

Canterbury-Bankstownv Newtown

Kick-Off:3.30pm.