Newtown Jets grounded in Knights trial

Fielding a team boasting a numberof the Sharks full-time NRL squad members, the Newtown Jets went down to theNewcastle Knights in their trial match played at the Maitland Sportsground onSaturday, 2nd March.

The Jets scored first but it waslargely one-way traffic from that point, with the Knights registering acomfortable 26-12 victory. 

The match began with an awfulerror from the Knights fullback, a mistake which gifted the Jets their firstpoints. Jets fullback Luke Polselli on the spot to claim the ball and plant ifdown for the opening try. 

Braydon Trindall added the extratwo points and it was 6-0 to Newtowneight minutes into the contest. 

The Knights worked their way backinto the game, with a fortuitous try to front rower Jirah Momoisea after agrubber kick bounced off the left upright levelled the score up. The Newcastle number oneatoned for his earlier error in crossing for a four-pointer shortlyafter. 

Another Newcastle try, this timefrom edge backrower Zac Hosking pushed the margin out further, with the teamsgoing to the break with the Knights leading 16-6. 

Both coaches made a large numberof changes in the second period, which showed with the attack from the twoteams somewhat disjointed. 25-minutes passed before further points were addedand it would be the Knights who extended their advantage when Brodie Jonesstrolled over. 

Another try by Sam Stone insidethe final ten minutes of the match pushed the score out to 26-6, before a latetry to Mitchell Casson from the Jets, converted by Siosifa Talakai, completedthe scoring. 

Despite the loss the Jets hadsome solid performers. Isaac Lumelume was strong on the wing, fullback LukePolselli had his moments and half Jack A. Williams tried his best to steer theteam around until he limped off with what appeared to be a calf injury. 

The Jets now have two weeks toregroup before their round one match.

This matchreport was provided courtesy of Cronulla Sharks Media.

Newtown Jets 12:
Luke Polselli, Mitchell Casson tries;
Braydon Trindall, Siosifa Talakai goals
lost to
Newcastle Knights 26:
5 tries, 3 goals.

Half-Time: Newcastle Knights led 16-6

Newtown'ssquad today was as follows:
Luke Polselli
Isaac Lumelume, Tyrone Taukamo
Jackson Ferris, Matt Evans
Jack A. Williams, Braydon Trindall
Greg Eastwood
Siosifa Talakai, Josh Carr
Jimmy Jolliffe, Braden Uele
T. J. McLean.
Bench:
Ben Jackson, Daniel Vasquez, Pio Nakubuwai, Teig Wilton, Wes Lolo
Kyle McLean, Jaz Flavell, Jai Seymour, Cruz Topai-Aveai, Latrell Robinson
Mitchell Casson, Royce Tout, Jai Bowen,JordanChong-Sun.

Somepost-match comments by NewtownJets head coach Greg Matterson:

“Giventhat this was the third trial, it was a disappointing performance. Newtown’s ball controlwas poor and we had a 50% completion rate at halftime. The Jets missedtry-scoring opportunities in the first half that put the Knights in a strongposition with a 16-6 lead at the break.

Newtown used 27 players in this match which gave thecoaching staff the chance to see plenty of candidates push for positions in theopening round in two weeks time.

Hopefullyour players will have learned some valuable lessons in this trial. Improvedball control is a must and we have to compete more effectively in the rucks. Wemissed scoring opportunities in the first half through lack of patience.

Thecoaching staff’s best players were Luke Polselli and Jackson Ferris in the backs, and Wes Lolo andCruz Aveai-Topai in the forwards.

Asit happens, our opening competition round involves another away game againstthe Newcastle Knights.”