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 goalsdefeatedNewtown 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-FinalPepper Stadium, PenrithSunday, 11^th September 2016Newtown v New Zealand WarriorsKick-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=allAnd Mario Facchini’s photos: http://mafphotography.blogspot.com/2016/09/intrust-super-premiership-2016-finals.html?spref=twThe 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.