Jets overwhelmed by Raiders in the second half

The Newtown Jets were plagued by injuries in the course of their 42-12 loss to the Canberra Raiders, in the 8th round NSW Cup match played at the GIO Stadium, Canberra on Sunday.

The Jets bad luck began early, when team captain and hooker Jayden Berrell suffered an elbow injury in the third minute of play, followed up by hard-working forward Brad Fearnley being unable to continue after half-time after failing a HIA test. The steam-rolling centre Addison Demetriou left the field midway through the second half with a very painful shoulder injury.

The Jets and the Raiders fought set for set for most of the first half, although the Raiders scored two converted tries (the second five minutes before half-time) to take a 12-0 lead into the break. Canberra had dominated possession and field position in the first half and it was apparent that Newtown faced a tough task to turn the momentum of this match around.

Newtown had missed a couple of scoring chances in the first half when the Raiders held a 6-0 lead.

The Raiders extended their lead to 18-0 early in the second half, but a clever exchange of passes between Jack Gibbons, Sam Stonestreet and Mawene Hiroti saw the latter player dive over in the north-eastern corner. Hiroti converted his own try from the sideline and the Jets were still in the game, trailing by 18-6.

Newtown’s chances of a come-from-behind victory were ended when the Raiders added two more converted tries in the next ten minutes. In fact Canberra went on to increase their lead to 42-6 before the Jets lock forward Blake Hosking finished off a clever passing combination between Billy Magoulias and Niwhai Puru just prior to fulltime. Mawene Hiroti converted again from wide out for the final scoreline to read 42-12 in favour of the Raiders.

The Newtown Jets are back at Henson Park on Saturday, 4th May, when they take on St George-Illawarra in the 9th round of the NSW Cup. This match is timed to start at 3.00pm.

Sunday’s match details:
NSWRL Knock-On Effect NSW Cup

Round Eight
Sunday, 28th April 2024
GIO Stadium, Canberra
Canberra Raiders v Newtown

Kick-Off was at 1.40pm.

Newtown’s team was: –
Fullback: Kade Dykes
Wingers: Tom Rodwell, Sam Stonestreet
Centres: Chris Vea’ila, Addison Demetriou
Halves: Mawene Hiroti, Niwhai Puru
Lock: Blake Hosking
Second-Rowers: Jack Gibbons, Billy Burns
Front-Rowers: Royce Hunt, Rhys Dakin
Hooker: Jayden Berrell (Captain)
Interchange: Jordin Leiu, Brad Fearnley, Billy Magoulias, Sam Healey
Reserve: Josh Cook
Coach: George Ndaira.

The Canberra Raiders team:
Fullback: Manaia Waitere
Wingers: Utuloa Asomua, Jed Stuart
Centres: Albert Hopoate, Nick Cotric
Halves: Adam Cook, Mitch Henderson
Lock: Hohepa Puru (Captain)
Second-Rowers: Mitch Spencer, Noah Martin
Front-Rowers: Emre Guler, Peter Hola
Hooker: Zac Woolford
Interchange: Adrian Trevilyan, Loghan Lewis, Luke Webley, Peter Taateo
Reserve: Josh Billing
Coach: Brock Shepperd.

Match Officials:
Referee: Damien Brady
Touch Judges: Nick Beashel, Cam Turner

Weather: 18 degrees, cloudy
Playing surface: Excellent

Match Result: –
Canberra Raiders 42:
Mitch Henderson 2, Nick Cotric 2, Peter Taateo, Mitch Spencer, Jed Stuart tries;

Adam Cook 7 conversions
defeated
Newtown 12:
Mawene Hiroti, Blake Hosking tries;
Mawene Hiroti 2 conversions.

Half-Time: Canberra Raiders led 12-0.


NSW Cup Highlights | Canberra Raiders v Newtown Jets – Round Eight (Sunday, 28th April 2024):
https://www.nswrl.com.au/news/2024/04/29/nsw-cup-highlights–raiders-v-jets—round-eight/

The NSWRL Knock-On Effect NSW Cup competition table after eight rounds:
https://www.nswrl.com.au/ladder/?competition=113&round=8&season=2024

Match Timeline: –
First Half:

Kick-Off was at 1.40pm.
Newtown kicked off running to the southern end of the ground.
3rd minute: Jayden Berrell injured, replaced by Sam Healey
4th minute: Chris Vea’ila on report
12th minute: Mitch Henderson try
Converted by Adam Cook. Raiders 6-0
16th minute; Zac Woolford on report
22nd minute: Brad Fearnley on report
35th minute: Nick Cotric try
Converted by Adam Cook. Raiders 12-0.
Brad Fearnley leaves the field and fails HIA test. Does not return for the second half.
Half-Time: Raiders lead 12-0.
Second Half:
46th minute: Peter Taateo try
Converted by Adam Cook. Raiders 18-0.

51st minute: Mawene Hiroti try
Converted by Mawene Hiroti. Raiders 18-6
55th minute: Mitch Spencer try
Converted by Adam Cook. Raiders 24-6
62nd minute: Nick Cotric try
Converted by Adam Cook. Raiders 30-6
65th minute: Mitch Henderson try
Converted by Adam Cook. Raiders 36-6
74th minute: Jed Stuart try
Converted by Adam Cook Raiders. 42-6
77th minute: Blake Hosking try
Converted by Mawene Hiroti. Raiders 42-12.
Full-Time: Canberra Raiders win 42-12.

Match Statistics:
Possession: Raiders 58%, Newtown 42%
Time in possession: Raiders 28 minutes, Newtown 19 minutes
Completions: Raiders 76%, Newtown 77%
Attacking statistics:
Raiders 196 runs, Newtown 127
Raiders 2130 run metres, Newtown 1306
Raiders 564 post-contact metres, Newtown 345
Raiders 6 line breaks, Newtown 5
Raiders 49 tackle breaks, Newtown 20
Raiders average set distance 51 metres, Newtown 37
Raiders 212 kick return metres, Newtown 107
Raiders 10 off-loads, Newtown 4
Raiders 230 total passes, Newtown 157
Raiders 317 kick metres, Newtown 482
Raiders 67% kicks defused, Newtown 83%
Tackles, errors and penalties:
Raiders 90% effective tackles, Newtown 82%
Raiders 251 tackles made, Newtown 323
Raiders 20 missed tackles, Newtown 49
Raiders 6 ineffective tackles, Newtown 19
Raiders 11 errors, Newtown 9
Raiders 5 penalties conceded, Newtown 6
Raiders 1 on report, Newtown 2

Sam Healey (Newtown) 39 tackles;
Sam Stonestreet (Newtown) 169 run metres.

Next match details:
NSWRL Knock-On Effect NSW Cup
Round Nine
Saturday, 4th May 2024
Henson Park
Newtown v St George-Illawarra
Kick-Off: 3.00pm.