Jets in runaway victory over the Dragons

Newtown remains unbeaten after three rounds of the Knock-On Effect NSW Cup season, after defeating St George-Illawarra 50-10 at Kirkham Oval, Camden last Saturday (26th March).

The Jets dominated territory and possession early in the match and had run up a 16-0 lead (three tries and two conversions) within the first twelve minutes.

The Dragons came back into the contest when they gained a better share of possession, but Newtown added another try and a penalty goal to take a 22-10 lead into the half-time break.

The match was played in slippery conditions. The Kirkham Oval playing surface was top-class but there had been heavy rain during the previous evening.

The mercurial Jets five-eighth Luke Metcalf ended with three tries to his credit; centre Kayal Iro scored twice; and second-rower Reubenn Rennie, winger Jonaiah Lualua, front-rower Thomas Hazelton and winger Mawene Hiroti were the other try-scorers, with Metcalf converting six of the tries and kicking a penalty goal for a personal haul of twenty-six points.

Despite the difficult playing conditions, the Jets laid on some classy ball-work. Fullback Lachlan Miller, Luke Metcalf and halfback Rhys Davies took full advantage of the territory and momentum laid on by Newtown’s big forwards.

Coach Greg Matterson had plenty of reasons to be pleased with the all-round quality of Newtown’s performance, but he cautioned after Saturday’s game that teams don’t make the semi-finals in March.

The Jets meet the Newcastle Knights next Saturday, 2nd April, at Leichhardt Oval. This fourth round NSW Cup match kicks off at 12.40pm and will be televised live on the Fox League channel.

Saturday’s match details were:

NSWRL Knock-On Effect (KOE) NSW Cup – Round Three
Saturday, 26th March 2022
Kirkham Oval, Camden
St George-Illawarra v Newtown
Kick-Off: 2.30pm.

Newtown 50:
Luke Metcalf 3, Kayal Iro 2, Reubenn Rennie, Jonaiah Lualua, Thomas Hazelton, Mawene Hiroti tries;
Luke Metcalf 6 conversions, 1 penalty goal

defeated

St George-Illawarra 10:
Dean Blore, Connor Muhleisen tries;
Dean Blore 1 conversion.

Half-Time: Newtown led 22-10.

Second half: Newtown scored 28 points to nil.

Newtown’s team was:

Fullback: Lachlan Miller
Wingers: Jonaiah Lualua, Mawene Hiroti
Centres: Jensen Taumoepeau, Kayal Iro
Five-Eighth: Luke Metcalf
Half-Back: Rhys Davies
Lock: Jack Williams
Second-Rowers: Jesse Colquhoun, Reubenn Rennie
Front-Rowers: Royce Hunt, Kurt Dillon
Hooker: Tyler Slade.

Interchange:
Thomas Hazelton, Franklin Pele, Zac Woolford, Vincent Rennie.

18th Man: Tyla Tamou.

Coach: Greg Matterson.

The St George-Illawarra team was:

Fullback: Treigh Stewart
Wingers: Jonathon Reuben, Bailey Antrobus
Centres: Mathew Feagai, Tautau Moga
Five-Eighth: Dean Blore
Half-Back: Bradley Deitz
Lock; Jaiyden Hunt
Second-Rowers: Jackson Shereb, Michael Molo
Front-Rowers: Daniel Alvaro, Poasa Faamausili
Hooker: Connor Muhleisen

Interchange:
Ethan Clark-Wood, Joshua Curic, Josh Carr, Jack Boyling.

18th Man: Shalom O’ofou

Coach: Russell Aitken.

Playing surface: Excellent playing surface, slippery and slightly heavy going because of rain during the previous night

Weather: Fine, significant cloud cover, light rain fell in the last few minutes of the game.

Temperature: 21 degrees.