Jets’ Loss Puts Finals Spot in Jeopardy

Penrith’s 30-6 win over Newtown on Saturday evening put the Jets back into fourth place on 27 points, with Penrith, the Sea Eagles and Souths in hot pursuit on 26 points.

The New Zealand Warriors and Canterbury are also on 27 points, but are ahead of Newtown on points differential.

Newtown is still trying to deal with a long injury list as well as call-ups into the Cronulla Sharks NRL squad.

The Jets fielded quite a young team on Saturday, and the final losing margin was somewhat blown out by Penrith’s points surge in the last three minutes of the game.

In the first half the Panthers opened up a 12-0 lead through converted tries in the 11th and 19th minutes, but most of the first half was an even contest with the Jets putting pressure on the Panthers at their end of the field.

The Panthers increased their lead to 16-0 early in the second half, but Newtown stayed in the game and continued to stage attacks at Penrith’s end.

The Jets scored the try of the game midway through the second half, with a thrilling sixty-metres effort involving Daniel Atkinson, Niwhai Puru and Jayden Berrell, and ending in Samuel Healey dashing in to score next to the southern end goal posts.

Trailing 16-6 with about 18 minutes left to play, Newtown was right back in the game. Penrith added a penalty goal in the 73rd minute that made the Jets’ task harder, and then the Panthers added two converted tries in the last three minutes.

Saturday’s NSW Cup match determined the inaugural winners of the newly-instituted Wilson-Blacklock Cup, named in honour of the late Ken Wilson and Ray Blacklock who played for both Newtown and Penrith.

Ironically Penrith won the new trophy on points differential through their late points surge in the last three minutes of the game.

The Newtown Jets take on the South Sydney Rabbitohs next Saturday afternoon (5th August) at Redfern Oval, with the kick-off timed for 3.00pm.

NSWRL Knock-On Effect NSW Cup
22nd Round

Saturday, 29th July 2023
BlueBet Stadium (Penrith)
Penrith v Newtown
Kick-Off: 5.05pm.

Match Result:
Penrith 30:
Daeon Amituanai, Luke Garner, Luke Sommerton, Jack Cogger, Jesse McLean tries;

Jack Cole 4 conversions, 1 penalty goals

defeated

Newtown 6:
Samuel Healey try;

Mawene Hiroti 1 conversion.

Half-Time: Penrith led 12-0.

Match Officials: –
Referee: Martin Jones

Touch Judges: Nathan Loveday and Cameron Turner

Highlights from the Penrith v Newtown NSW Cup match played on Saturday, 29th July 2023:
https://www.nswrl.com.au/news/2023/07/30/nsw-cup-highlights–panthers-v-jets—round-22/

Newtown’s team on Saturday was: –
Fullback: Manaia Waitere
Wingers: Jensen Taumoepeau, Trentham Petersen

Centres: Mawene Hiroti, Kayal Iro
Halves: Daniel Atkinson, Niwhai Puru

Lock: Blake Hosking

Second-Rowers: Tuku Hau Tapuha, Kyle Pickering

Front-Rowers: Rhys Dakin, Kurt Dillon
Hooker: Jayden Berrell (Captain)

Interchange:
Caleb Uele, Brad Fearnley, Kai Parker, Samuel Healey

18th Man: Toby Boothroyd

Coach: George Ndaira.

The Penrith team was: –

Fullback: Isaiah Iongi

Wingers: Tom Jenkins, Daeon Amituanai
Centres: Matt Stimson, Jesse McLean

Halves: Jack Cole, Jack Cogger
Lock: Jaeman Salmon

Second-Rowers: Luke Garner, Mavrik Geyer
Front-Rowers: Eddie Blacker, Liam Henry
Hooker: Luke Sommerton.
Interchange:
Trent Toelau, Ativalu Lisati, Chris Smith, Kurt Falls.

18th Man: Peter Taateo
Coach: Ben Harden.

Match Timeline: –
Newtown kicked off, running to the northern end of BlueBet Stadium.

10th minute: Daeon Amituanai try.

Jack Cole conversion. Penrith 6-0.

14:30 Newtown’s Tuku Hau Tapuha on report for a dangerous tackle

19th minute: Luke Garner try

Jack Cole conversion. Penrith 12-0.

Half-Time: Penrith led 12-0

44th minute: Luke Sommerton try
Not converted. Penrith 16-0.

61st minute: Samuel Healey try.

Mawene Hiroti conversion. Penrith 16-6.

73rd minute: Jack Cole penalty goal. Penrith 18-6.

77th minute: Jack Cogger try

Jack Cole conversion. Penrith 24-6.

79th minute: Jesse McLean try

Jack Cole conversion. Penrith 30-6.

Full-Time: Penrith won by 30-6.

Match Statistics: –

Possession: Newtown and Penrith 50% each for the game

Completions: Penrith 78%, Newtown 65%
Penalties: Penrith 8-7

(There were very even figures across several other statistical indicators.)

Newtown’s next match details: –
NSWRL Knock-On Effect NSW Cup
23rd Round

Saturday, 5th August 2023
Redfern Oval
South Sydney (in 7th place on 26 points) v Newtown (in 4th place on 27 points)

Kick-Off: 3.00pm.