Jets stage a second half fightback to draw with the Bulldogs

Details of the Newtown-Canterbury ISP NSW 12th round match played at Henson Park on Saturday, 27th May 2017.NSWRL Intrust Super Premiership NSW – 12^th roundSaturday, 27^th May 2017Henson ParkNewtown v Canterbury-BankstownKick-Off: 3.00pm.The match was broadcast live on: www.steelesports.com.auReferee: Ryan Jackson. Touch Judges: Kieren Irons and John Woods.Playing surface: Very good.Weather: Fine, sunny, 21 degrees.Newtown 26:Jayden McDonogh, Leigh Higgins, Manaia Cherrington, Kenny Niko, Saulala Houma tries;Matt Evans 3 goalsdrew withCanterbury-Bankstown 26:Lachlan Lewis 2, Rod Griffin, Reimis Smith, Tyrone Phillips tries;Chase Stanley 3 goals.Half-Time: Canterbury led 18-6.Newtown’s team was:Matt Evans, James Tuitahi, Jordan Drew, Kenny Niko, Jordan Topai-Aveai, Leigh Higgins, Penani Manumalealii, Jayden McDonogh, Jack Williams, Jayden Walker, Kurt Dillon, Kurt Kara, Jaimin Jolliffe.Bench: Tepatasi Fuiavailili, Saulala Houma, Manaia Cherrington, Luke Towers.Coach: Greg Matterson.Canterbury-Bankstown:Josh Bergamin, Reimis Smith, Richie Kennar, Chase Stanley, Tyrone Phillips, Josh Cleeland, Lachlan Lewis, Rod Griffin, Bronson Garlick, Michael Morgan, Andy Saunders, Zac Woolford, Ray Moujalli.Bench: Darcy Maroske, Lachlan Lee, Tom Carr, Siaopo Tagaloa, Jerry Leasi.Coach: Steve Georgallis.Match timeline: -First Half:Newtown kicked off to the southern end.3^rd min: Lachlan Lewis try, conv by Chase StanleyCanterbury 6-05^th min: Penalty to Newtown 35 m out from their own tryline6^th min: Manumalealii’s grubber kick taken dead by a Bulldogs defenderGoal-line drop-out by CanterburyJets make a break up the left edge but lose the ball early in the set8^th min: Another penalty to Newtown, this time 10 m out from their own line10^th min: Jets move the ball at speed but Niko is tackled out over the sideline, 20 m out from Canterbury’s tryline11^th min: ‘Dogs grubber kick into the north-east corner runs dead13^th min: ‘Dogs trapped in their own in-goal and they take a goal-line drop-outBoth teams are getting attacking opportunities at their opponents endHiggins drives hard for the ‘Dogs line but is tackled just short16^th min: ‘Dogs go very close but stopped by good defence.In the next ruck, a CB pass goes forward‘Dogs starting to make more ground up the middle through their forwards19^th min: Jets kick into sth west corner goes deadIt has been a fairly even contest between the two teams after 25 mins26^th min: Jets mount an attackManumalealii delivers a crisp pass that sends Jayden McDonogh straight through a gap to score 10 m to the right of the southern posts27^th min: Conv by Evans. 6-allJayden Walker has gone to the head-binSaulala Houma is on and looks to be adding some muscle to the Jets attackJets go close again in sth east corner but the ball goes loosePen to CB on halfway in 28^th min which gives ‘Dogs a good platformThey lose the ball cold when in a good attacking position31^st min: Pen to Newtown 40 m out from their own line32^nd min: Jets make a break, lose the ball and then give a penalty away 30 m out from ‘Dogs line‘Dogs forwards starting to get the upper hand33^rd min: ‘Dogs lose the ball when in another good attacking position 10 m out from Newtown’s line(The legendary Race Caller, Paul Clarke, was in full voice in front of the canteen block, calling on the Jets to perform the most unlikely on-field feats!)Jets knock on a high kick in 35^th min which gifts CB another favourable attacking platform37^th min: Predictably the ‘Dogs score in the next set after several strong drives by the forwardsRod Griffin the try-scorer; conv by Stanley CB 12-6 after 38 mins‘Dogs mount an attack in the last minute and turn on their best movement of the half, scoring in the nth west corner with 30 seconds leftStanley conv from the sidelineHalf-Time: CB leads 18-6Penani Manumalealii is off with head knockWalker won’t be returningNewtown will be down to two on the bench in the second halfSecond Half:‘Dogs kick off to southern end.45^th min: CB score in sth west corner from a fairly orthodox passing movementTyrone Phillips the try-scorer, not conv, CB 22-6.47^th min: CB knock on the kick-offNewtown get across the line but can’t ground the ball48^th min: Manaia Cherrington strikes from dummy-half and scores under the northern goal posts49^th min: Conv by Evans, CB 22-1252^nd min” ‘Dogs on the attack, looking to land a killer blowLachlan Lewis scores in sth-east cornerStanley doesn’t convert55^th: CB leads 26-12 and it looks grim for the JetsCB on the attack again and somehow the Jets defensive line holds56^th: ‘Dogs attack again but a wild pass flies out over the eastern touchline60^th: Cherrington makes a dashing midfield break, backed up by Leigh Higgins who scores in nth east cornerNot conv by Evans, CB 26-16Suddenly the door is open again.64^th: Jets attacking in CB 20 metres, and the ‘Dogs are forced into a goal-line drop-out66^th: Jets attack again and force another goal-line drop-outThe big Berries forwards are starting to feel the pinch68^th: Quick hands by Jets to the right and Kenny Niko scores in nth-east cornerNot conv, CB 26-20 with 11 to go‘dogs forwards feeling the lash on their backsCB lose the ball in 71^st min, 25 m out from their own line72^nd min: Smart inside ball from Cherrington and big Saulala Houma steam-rolls his way over to score under the postsCrowd on the hill goes troppo73^rd: Evans converts, it’s 26-allSteele Sports claim that “Newtown is starting to own the middle third”Kurt Kara makes a break but his inside pass goes to ground75^th: ‘Dogs get a set on halfway and then get a scrum-feed 10 m out from Jets lineNewtown defends this crucial set78^th min: Jets shift the ball towards CB end of fieldJets have the ball with 40 seconds leftPenalty to Newtown 40 m out and nearly in midfieldSiren soundsMatt Evans long-distance penalty goal attempt drifts wide‘Dogs catch the ball and throw it about but play breaks down on half-way line.Full-Time: 26-all.Coach Matterson’s post-match comments:We need to tidy up in several areasAt 26-12 we looked to be out of the gameShould have got home but lacked steadiness and composure in crucial final minutesSome individuals need to work on their own skill setsErrors made inside our own 20 proved to be costly.Photos taken by Mario Facchini:  http://mafphotography.blogspot.com/2017/05/intrust-super-premiership-2017-round-12.html?spref=twYou Tube post-match interviews:Jaimin Jolliffe: https://youtu.be/A5-BaYQkUjwLuke Towers:  https://youtu.be/npEbWA4gr7QMatt Evans:   https://youtu.be/w38KfVZI7VY