Bulldogs strong defence trumps the Jets in top-of-table encounter

The Canterbury Bulldogs won a hard-fought 16-6 victory over the Newtown Jets in the top-of-the-competition-table 5th round NSW Cup match played at Henson Park on Saturday afternoon.

This match was played in persistent rain and slippery conditions, with the inclement weather unfortunately limiting the attendance at the Ken Wilson tribute day staged by the Newtown club.

There were no points scored until the 33rd minute, when the powerfully-built Canterbury-Bankstown winger bulldozed his way over in the north-eastern corner.

Canterbury led 4-0 at half-time and the Bulldogs had kept Newtown scoreless by utilising a relentless, swarming defence that largely prevented the Jets from gaining any midfield momentum. The Bulldogs kept the pressure on Newtown by employing high kicks into the corners that forced the Jets to work the ball back upfield from deep within their own territory.

The Bulldogs added a penalty goal in the 58th minute to extend their lead to 6-0.

Newtown had made several handling errors and also conceded several penalties that assisted the Bulldogs to get downfield.

A marginal forward pass prevented the big Jets back-rower Tuku Hau Tapuha from scoring which might have enabled the Jets to draw level.

In the 63rd minute Canterbury scored a try from dummy-half that enabled the Bulldogs to take a 12-0 lead. Given the difficult playing conditions and Newtown’s average completion rate, that was likely to be a match-winning points margin.

With time running out, Newtown applied some effective pressure at the Bulldogs end and hooker Jayden Berrell dispatched a well-flighted grubber kick into the north-eastern in-goal area which centre Jacob Gagan did very well to ground the ball for a try and Newtown’s first points.

Niwhai Puru’s conversion from wide out saw the Jets trailing 12-6 with just five minutes left to play.

The Jets threw the ball around desperately to try to create a scoring opportunity, but a pass went to ground that was snapped up by the Bulldogs left-side winger who dashed away to score in the 77th minute and to ensure victory for the visitors.

Canterbury’s win was based on solid, swarming defence that managed to choke off Newtown’s try-scoring potential.

The Jets handling errors had proved costly on a day when their attacking opportunities had been limited.

Front-rower Tommy Hazelton once again led from the front but his midfield charges were kept in check more effectively by the Bulldogs forwards than by some of Newtown’s recent opponents.

Jayden Berrell did his best to organise Newtown’s attack in the midfield but the Canterbury forwards defence was a formidable barrier.

Jets winger Thomas Rodwell fielded high kicks with confidence and returned the ball with determined running.

To cap off a disappointing afternoon, the sun broke through in the game’s 78th minute after several hours of persistent showers.

The Jets have a bye in the NSW Cup this coming Easter long weekend (7th April through to the 10th April).

NSWRL Knock-On Effect NSW Cup – Round Five
Saturday, 1st April 2023
Henson Park

Newtown v Canterbury-Bankstown

Kick-Off: 3.00pm.

Canterbury-Bankstown 16:
Jeral Skelton, Brandon Clarke, Blake Wilson tries;

Joash Papali’i 1 conversion, 1 penalty goal
defeated
Newtown 6:
Jacob Gagan try;

Niwhai Puru 1 conversion.

Half-Time:
Canterbury-Bankstown led 4-0.

NSW Cup Highlights || Newtown v Canterbury-Bankstown – Round Five:
https://www.nswrl.com.au/news/2023/04/01/nsw-cup-highlights–jets-v-bulldogs—round-five/

Referee: Jake Sutherland

Touch Judges: Clayton Wills and Daniel Luttringer.

Playing surface: Excellent.

Weather: Overcast, intermittent showers and heavier rain. 17 degrees; southerly breeze.

Newtown’s team was:
Fullback: Connor Tracey
Wingers: Josh Mansour, Thomas Rodwell

Centres: Jacob Gagan, Mawene Hiroti

Halves: Daniel Atkinson, Niwhai Puru
Lock: Billy Magoulias (Captain)
Second-Rowers: Jordin Leiu, Kai Parker
Front-Rowers: Thomas Hazelton, Rhys Dakin
Hooker: Jayden Berrell.
Interchange: Caleb Uele, Tyler Slade, Tuku Hau Tapuha, Brad Fearnley

Reserve: Johnny-Lee Gabrael.

Blue Shirt Trainer: Tom Haberecht
Yellow Shirt Trainer: Paul Kotsis
Orange Shirt Trainer: Chris Moubarak
Coach: George Ndaira.

Canterbury-Bankstown’s team:
Fullback: Joash Papali’i
Wingers: Blake Wilson, Jeral Skelton

Centres: Declan Casey, Reece Hoffman
Halves: Khaled Rajab, Karl Oloapu
Lock: Harrison Edwards
Second-Rowers: Kitione Kautaga, Jackson Topine
Front-Rowers: Jayden Tanner, Billy Tsikrikas
Hooker: Brandon Clarke.
Interchange: Bailey Hayward, Andrew Davey, Sam Hughes, Jack Stringer.

Reserve: Zac Hetherington.

Blue Shirt Trainer: Pat Gibson
Yellow Shirt Trainer: Gurpreet Singh
Orange Shirt Trainer: Lachlan Mollica
Coach: David Tangata-Toa.

Match Timeline:

33rd minute: Jeral Skelton try, not converted.
Canterbury led 4-0.
Half-Time: Canterbury led 4-0.

58th minute: Joash Papali’i penalty goal.

Canterbury led 6-0.
62nd minute: Brandon Clarke try; Joash Papali’i conversion.
Canterbury led 12-0.
74th minute: Jacob Gagan try; Niwhai Puru conversion.
Canterbury led 12-6.
77th minute: Blake Wilson try, not converted.
Canterbury led 16-6.
Full-Time: Canterbury-Bankstown 16 defeated Newtown 6.

Next weekend, (Easter Long Weekend), 7th through to the 10th April 2023
NSWRL Knock-On Effect NSW Cup – Round Six

Newtown has the bye.