Competition Points get Away From Jets in the Final Twenty Minutes.

The Newtown Jets lost a hard-fought match to the Canberra Raiders by 20-10, in the Knock-On Effect (KOE) NSW Cup 13th round fixture played at Henson Park on Saturday afternoon.

The Raiders led 12-6 at half-time and Newtown had pulled back to trail 12-10 with just twenty minutes left to play. Jets five-eighth Luke Metcalf’s conversion attempt bounced away off the left-hand upright.

The Jets had toiled bravely to get back to what could have been a winning position, but Newtown’s overall performance declined just when they needed to choose better attacking options and to work with more patience when in possession.

Newtown’s first half try had been a determined effort in the northern left-side corner by winger Edward Aiono, with Luke Metcalf converting from the sideline. Rugged second-rower Siosifa Talakai blasted his way through the Raiders defence to score in the 60th minute.

Coach Greg Matterson noted after the game that his players needed to take smarter options in attack when they were under pressure. The Jets had not quite known in that last twenty minutes how to best take control of the game when it was there to be won.

The Raiders had drawn clear of Newtown through tries scored in the 68th and 74th minutes. Canberra’s last try was scored by veteran forward Iosia Soliola, who had played for Newtown against the Raiders when they last visited Henson Park back in 2007.

Newtown’s stronger performers included front-rower Brock Gray and second-rower Tom Caughlan who both worked extremely hard in defence, and hooker Zac Woolford troubled the Raiders with his midfield dashes from dummy-half. Fullback Dylan O’Connor once again proved to be very sound under high kicks.

The Raiders had obviously done their homework as to who Newtown’s danger-men were, with players such as Nene Macdonald, Bronson Garlick, Billy Magoulias, Siosifa Talakai and Franklin Pele being closely marked all afternoon.

The Jets are back again at Henson Park this coming Saturday, 12th June, when they confront the KOE NSW Cup competition leaders, Penrith Panthers, with the kick-off timed for 3.00pm.

Match details:
NSWRL KOE NSW Cup – 13th Round

Saturday, 5th June 2021

Henson Park

Newtown v Canberra Raiders

Kick-Off: 3.00pm.

Canberra Raiders 20 (Kai O’Donnell 2, Brad Schneider, Iosia Soliola tries; Brad Schneider 2 goals) def. Newtown 10 (Edward Aiono, Siosifa Talakai tries; Luke Metcalf 1 goal).

Half-Time: Canberra Raiders led 12-6.

Scoring timeline:

16th minute: Kai O’Donnell try, Brad Schneider goal. Raiders 6-0.

30th minute: Edward Aiono try, Luke Metcalf converts from the sideline. 6-all.

37th minute: Kai O’Donnell try, Brad Schneider goal. Raiders 12-6.

Half-Time: Raiders 12 leading Newtown 6.

60th minute: Siosifa Talakai try, Luke Metcalf’s conversion attempts bounces off the left-hand upright. Raiders 12-10.

68th minute: Brad Schneider try, not converted. Raiders 16-10.

74th minute: Iosia Soliola try, not converted. Raiders 20-10.

Full-Time: Canberra Raiders 20 defeated Newtown 10.

Newtown’s team was:
Dylan O’Connor, Edward Aiono, Jensen Taumoepeau, Jonaiah Lualua, Nene Macdonald, Bronson Garlick, Luke Metcalf, Billy Magoulias, Tom Caughlan, Siosifa Talakai, Brock Gray, Zac Woolford, Daniel Vasquez.

Interchange: Kyle Paterson, Monty Raper, Franklin Pele, Ethan Natoli.

Reserve: Kaleb Milne.

Coach: Greg Matterson.

Canberra Raiders:
Xavier Savage, Michael Asomua, Matthew Timoko, Albert Hopoate, Elijah Anderson, Matthew Frawley, Brad Schneider, Trey Mooney, Kai O’Donnell, Hudson Young, Leo Thompson, Siliva Havili, Iosia Soliola.

Interchange: Adrian Trevilyan, Darby Medlyn, Ata Mariota, Adam Cook.

Reserve: Brigham Moeakiola.

Coach: Peter Marrapodi.

Referee: Kasey Badger.

Touch Judges: Tom Cambourn and Rickey McFarlane.

Weather: 18 degrees Celsius, sunny, slight breeze.

Playing surface: Very good.

Curtain-Raiser result:
NSWRL Ron Massey Cup – 13th Round

Kaiviti Silktails 30 (5 tries, 5 goals) defeated Glebe Dirty Reds 22 (4 tries, 3 goals).

Half-Time: Glebe Dirty Reds led 16-12.

Newtown’s next game details:
NSWRL KOE NSW Cup – 14th Round

Saturday, 12th June 2021

Henson Park

Newtown v Penrith Panthers

Kick-Off: 3.00pm.