Jets made to work hard to ensure victory over Dragons

The Newtown Jets defeated St George-Illawarra 32-10 at Henson Park on Saturday, and maintained possession of the Tom Kirk Cup which is contested by the two clubs.

The Jets remain at the top of the Knock-On Effect NSW Cup competition table on 33 points, with the Penrith Panthers just one point behind on 32.

The Jets made heavy weather of this victory with a poor completion rate and undisciplined passing. Newtown’s resolute defence on their own line prevented the Dragons from making this a much closer game. The St George-Illawarra team was fighting to stay in semi-finals contention and came to Henson Park ready to play.

The Dragons trailed 16-4 at halftime and narrowed Newtown’s lead to just six points fifteen minutes into the second half. The Red and Whites didn’t get to add another point and Newtown scored three more tries to push the final winning margin out to 32-10.

Despite their tendency to turn the ball over, the Jets scored three good tries in the first half through hooker Jayden Berrell, centre Addison Demetriou and five-eighth Luke Metcalf.

Newtown’s tries in the second half were scored by second-rower Charbel Tasipale, front-rower Franklin Pele and winger Matt Ikuvalu. Newtown went into this match with a number of changes, with centre Demetriou, front-rower Kurt Dillon and hooker Berrell returning to the Jets ranks after varying lengths of absence due to injury.

As in other games in recent weeks, Newtown’s strong middle forwards had the better of their opponents, and backrowers Charbel Tasipale and Kayne Kalache both worked hard. Five-eighth Luke Metcalf was a constant threat to the Dragons defence and he scored a superb individual try in the first half. Centre Mawene Hiroti and winger Matt Ikuvalu also gave strong performances.

Newtown has a bye next weekend in Round 22 of the competition, and in Round 23 the Jets travel to 4 Pines Park (formerly known as Brookvale Oval) to play Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles on Saturday, 20th August at 3.15pm.

Saturday’s game details: –
NSWRL Knock-On Effect NSW Cup – 21st Round
Saturday, 6th August 2022
Henson Park
Newtown v St George-Illawarra
Kick-Off: 3.00pm.

Playing surface: Very good.
Weather: Sunny, cloud cover, 19 degrees, 30% humidity.

Referee: Kieren Irons.
Touch Judges: Cameron Mitchell and Cameron Paddy.

Newtown 32:
Jayden Berrell, Addison Demetriou, Luke Metcalf, Charbel Tasipale, Franklin Pele, Matt Ikuvalu tries:
Mawene Hiroti 2, Luke Metcalf 2 goals
defeated
St George-Illawarra 10:
Max Feagai, Shalom O’Ofou tries;
Kamren Cryer 1 goal.

Half-Time: Newtown led 16-4.

NSWRL Knock-On Effect NSW Cup Highlights: –
Jets v Dragons, Round 21, Henson Park, Saturday, 6th August 2022:
https://www.nswrl.com.au/news/2022/08/06/nsw-cup-highlights-jets-v-dragons-round-21/

NSWRL Knock-On Effect NSW Cup competition points table (after 21 rounds):
https://www.nswrl.com.au/ladder/?competition=113&round=21&season=2022

Newtown’s team was:
Fullback: Kayal Iro
Wingers: Matt Ikuvalu, Jensen Taumoepeau
Centres: Mawene Hiroti, Addison Demetriou
Halves: Luke Metcalf, Rhys Davies
Lock: Billy Magoulias
Second-Rowers: Charbel Tasipale, Kayne Kalache
Front-Rowers: Tommy Hazelton, Jesse Colquhoun
Hooker: Jayden Berrell.
Interchange: Kurt Dillon, Reubenn Rennie, Caleb Uele, Franklin Pele.
18th man: Liam Harris.
Head Coach: Greg Matterson.

St George-Illawarra:
Fullback: Treigh Stewart
Wingers: Jonathon Reuben, Alexander Lobb
Centres: Ethan Clark-Wood, Max Feagai
Halves: Jayden Sullivan, Kamren Cryer
Lock: Jackson Ford
Second-Rowers: Billy Burns, Jack Gosiewski
Front-Rowers: Joshua Coric, Jaiyden Hunt
Hooker: Zach Herring.
Interchange: Poasa Faamausili, Toby Couchman, Shalom O’Ofou, Sam Hooper.
18th man: Lucas Castle.
Coach: Russell Aitken.

Match Timeline:

First half: –

St George-Illawarra kicked off, running to the northern end.
5th minute: Jayden Berrell try.

7th minute: Mawene Hiroti conversion. Newtown 6-0.

22nd minute: Addison Demetriou try.
24th minute: Mawene Hiroti conversion. Newtown 12-0.
28th minute: Luke Metcalf try, not converted. Newtown 16-0.
37th minute: Max Feagai try, not converted. Newtown 16-4.

Half-Time: Newtown led 16-4.
Second Half: –
54th minute: Shalom O’Ofou try.
55th minute: Kamren Cryer conversion. Newtown 16-10.
60th minute: Charbel Tasipale try.
62nd minute: Luke Metcalf conversion. Newtown 22-10.

74th minute: Franklin Pele try.
76th minute: Luke Metcalf conversion. Newtown 28-10.
77th minute: Matt Ikuvalu try. Not converted. Newtown 32-10.
Full-Time: Newtown won by 32-10.
Franklin Pele was placed on report late in the first half.
Jayden Berrell was sin-binned early in the second half.

Newtown’s next game:

Newtown has a bye in Round 22 (next weekend).

NSWRL Knock-On Effect NSW Cup – 23rd Round
Saturday, 20th August 2022
4 Pines Park (Brookvale Oval)
Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles v Newtown
Kick-Off: 3.15pm.