Jets drop a valuable point after opening up a big lead

In a game of contrasting fortunes, Newtown and the Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles drew 22-all after the Jets had run up a 16-0 lead after only eight minutes of play.

Newtown led 22-10 at halftime and then didn’t score another point in the entire second half. The match ended on a frantic note, with the Sea Eagles scoring the equalising try and conversion two minutes from fulltime, and then narrowly failing to land a long distance penalty goal attempt in the last thirty seconds of the game.

The match statistics showed that the Sea Eagles had 58% of possession for the last 69 minutes of the game, which translates into a lot of tackling for the Jets and less time with the ball.

The Jets began with considerable confidence and precise execution, scoring three tries in the opening eight minutes.

Newtown’s first try involved well-timed passes and quick hands between Jayden Berrell, Niwhai Puru, the impressive Manaia Waitere (on debut for Newtown from the Cronulla Sharks Jersey Flegg squad) and Sam Stonestreet. The latter player was in the centres because of an injury to Kayal Iro, and Stonestreet stepped inside two Blacktown Workers defenders for Newtown’s first try.

Newtown’s second try came from a classy set-play involving Charbel Tasipale, Daniel Atkinson and Niwhai Puru, who put through a well-directed, bouncing grubber kick for Josh Mansour to seize upon and score a try.

The Jets third try was another fine example of crisp passing and teamwork between Jayden Berrell, Jesse Colquhoun, Billy Magoulias, Niwhai Puru, Jordin Leiu, Manaia Waitere and Sam Stonestreet, with the tall centre kicking the ball infield to be snapped up and touched down by Niwhai Puru.

For virtually the remainder of the game Newtown had a deficit of possession and opened the way to a Sea Eagles fightback with a number of incomplete sets of possession.

Blacktown Workers scored midway through the first half but Newtown looked to have reasserted control when the big Jets forward Brad Fearnley bullocked his way over underneath the northern end goal-posts, courtesy of a trademark short pass from Jayden Berrell.

The Sea Eagles scored again just before halftime and Newtown took a 22-10 lead into the break.

The second half saw Blacktown Workers dominant in possession and field position, but Jets backrower Kyle Pickering had a try controversially disallowed in the 62nd minute that could have tipped the fortunes of the game in Newtown’s favour.

Late in the game Newtown might have done well to make use of a couple of field goal opportunities, which would have made the score 23-16 to the Jets.

There seemed to be a dreadful inevitability to the Sea Eagles scoring another converted try to draw level, which duly happened in the 78th minute. This was followed by a remarkably dramatic passage of play, with Blacktown Workers receiving a penalty in the last thirty seconds, with the ensuing long-distance penalty goal attempt striking the left-hand upright and bouncing away!

Even then the on-rushing Sea Eagles players nearly took advantage of the awkwardly bouncing football, only for the young Jets fullback Manaia Waitere to bravely defuse the situation.

While the Jets can take some solace from the eventual 22-all draw, there was a realisation that this game may have been a certain two competition points after such a confident and well-executed start to the match.

For Newtown, Jayden Berrell, Jesse Colquhoun, Bill Magoulias, Niwhai Puru, Sam Stonestreet and Brad Fearnley had strong first halves, with Manaia Waitere making an excellent debut at the NSW Cup level.

Jets forwards Jordin Leiu (number 11), Billy Magoulias (number 13) and Jesse Colquhoun confront a Blacktown Workers front-rower. (NSWRL Facebook)

The Newtown Jets are back at Henson Park this Saturday, 20th May, when they meet the Newcastle Knights. This match is timed to commence at 3.00pm.


NSWRL Knock-On Effect NSW Cup

Round Eleven

Sunday, 14th May 2023

4 Pines Park, Brookvale (Brookvale Oval)

Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles v Newtown

Kick-Off: 1.35pm.

Weather: 18 degrees, cloudy

Playing surface: Excellent

Referee: Cameron Paddy
Touch Judges: Tom Cambourn and Kieren Irons

Match result:

Newtown 22:
Sam Stonestreet, Josh Mansour, Niwhai Puru, Brad Fearnley tries;

Niwhai Puru 3 conversions

drew with
Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles 22:
Fletcher Myers, Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega, Nathaniel Roache, Ben Condon tries;

Jamie Humphreys 3 conversions.

Halftime: Newtown led 22-10.

NSW Cup Highlights || BW Sea Eagles v Newtown Jets || Round Eleven:
https://www.nswrl.com.au/news/2023/05/14/nsw-cup-highlights–sea-eagles-v-jets—round-11/

NSW Cup competition table after 11 rounds:
https://www.nswrl.com.au/ladder/?competition=113&round=11&season=2023

Newtown’s team was: –
Fullback: Manaia Waitere
Wingers: Josh Mansour, Tom Rodwell

Centres: Jensen Taumoepeau, Sam Stonestreet
Halves: Daniel Atkinson, Niwhai Puru
Lock: Billy Magoulias (Captain)
Second Rowers: Jordin Leiu, Charbel Tasipale
Front Rowers: Rhys Dakin, Jesse Colquhoun
Hooker: Jayden Berrell
Interchange:
Tyler Slade, Kyle Pickering, Tuku Hau Tapuha, Brad Fearnley

18th man: Caleb Uele

Coach: George Ndaira.

Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles:
Fullback: Kaeo Weekes

Wingers: Jackson Ferris, Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega

Centres: Fletcher Myers, Morgan Harper

Halves: Latu Fainu, Jamie Humphreys
Lock: Dean Matterson

Second Rowers: Samuela Fainu, Joshua Stuckey
Front Rowers: Morgan Boyle, Ben Condon
Hooker: Gordon Chan Kum Tong

Interchange:
Jacob Sykes, Cameron Brown, Nathaniel Roache, Austin Dias
18th man: Faleata Iosefa

Coach: Greg Boulous.

Match Timeline:

Kick-Off: 1.35pm.

Newtown was running to the northern end of the ground.
2nd minute: Sam Stonestreet try. Not converted. Newtown 4-0.

5th minute: Josh Mansour try, Niwhai Puru conversion. Newtown 10-0.

8th minute: Niwhai Puru try and conversion. Newtown 16-0.

16th minute: Fletcher Myers try, Jamie Humphreys conversion. Newtown 16-6.

26th minute: Brad Fearnley try. Niwhai Puru conversion. Newtown 22-6.

35th minute: Raymond Tuaimalo-Vaega try. Not converted. Newtown 22-10.

Halftime: Newtown led 22-10.

49th minute: Nathaniel Roach try. Jamie Humphreys conversion. Newtown 22-16.

77th minute: Ben Condon try. Jamie Humphreys conversion. 22-all.

79th minute: Fletcher Myers long-distance penalty goal attempt hits the left-hand upright and bounces away.

Fulltime: 22-all.

Match Statistics:

The Sea Eagles had a 58% share of possession for the last 69 minutes of the game.

Completions: –

First Half: Newtown 81%, BWSE 86%
Second Half: Newtown 81%, BWSE 82%
Fulltime: Newtown 81%, BWSE 83%

Possession: –
First Half: Newtown 54%, BWSE 46%

Second Half: Newtown 44%, BWSE 56%

Fulltime: Newtown 48%, BWSE 52%

Penalties: –
First Half: Newtown 5-4

Second Half: BWSE 4-3
Fulltime: 8-all.

Newtown’s next game details:
NSWRL Knock-On Effect NSW Cup

Round Twelve
Saturday, 20th May 2023
Henson Park

Newtown (in fourth place) v Newcastle Knights (13th place)

Kick-Off: 3.00pm.