Magpies prevail in first leg of the Tom Raudonikis Cup

A less than full strength Newtown Jets rugby league team put in a brave effort against the Western Suburbs Magpies in the Canterbury Cup NSW 7^th round match played at Lidcombe Oval on Sunday.

The Magpies eventually got the measure of the Jets by 32-22, but only after Newtown had regained the lead twice in the second half. Wests had led 16-12 at halftime after the Jets had made a less than encouraging start, conceding three tries in the opening fifteen minutes to trail 16-0.

Newtown centre Matt Evans scored two exceptional tries in the first half to get the Jets back into the contest. Winger Isaac Lumelume and centre Jackson Ferris showed great determination in scoring for Newtown in the second half, and the Jets still led 22-20 with just twelve minutes left to play.

Newtown’s team strength for this match was severely depleted due to the unusual run of injuries in the Cronulla Sharks NRL ranks. Newtown is Cronulla-Sutherland’s partnership club in the second-tier Canterbury Cup NSW competition. There were several Jets players unavailable for various reasons and the list included Will Kennedy, Sione Katoa, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Aaron Gray, Jack A. Williams, Kyle Flanagan, Billy Magoulias, Siosifa Talakai and Braden Hamlin-Uele.

The Newtown Jets return to Henson Park next Saturday, 4^th May, when they take on close neighbours and keen rivals, the in-form South Sydney Rabbitohs. This match will commence at 3.00pm.

Match details: –

Western Suburbs 32:
Kane Bradley 2, Jacob Liddle, David Nofoaluma, Dylan Smith, Kauri Aupouri-Puketapu tries;

Tyson Gamble 4 goals

defeated

Newtown 22:
Matt Evans 2, Isaac Lumelume, Jackson Ferris tries;

Brayden Trindall 3 goals.

Halftime: Western Suburbs led 16-12.

Referee: Drew Oultram.

Assistant Referee: Damian Brady

Touch Judges: Nick Beashel, Adam Reid.

Playing surface: Excellent:
Weather: Sunny, mild, 22 degrees, low humidity.

Newtown’s team on Sunday was:
Latrell Schaumkel, Tyla Tamou, Matt Evans, Jackson Ferris, Isaac Lumelume, Luke Polselli, Braydon Trindall, Greg Eastwood, Josh Carr, Teig Wilton, Cruz Topai-Aveai, James Segeyaro, Jaimin Jolliffe.

Bench: Daniel Vasquez, Kyle Lovett, Wes Lolo, Jaelen Reweti.

Coach: Greg Matterson.

The Western Suburbs team was:
Dylan Smith, David Nofoaluma, Tommy Talau, Kane McQuiggan, Tyson Gamble, Kauri Aupouri-Puketapu, Robbie Rochow, Elia Fontooi, Sam McIntyre, Joseph Rakerevakuivalu, Jacob Liddle, Braden Robson.

Bench: Henry Leleuluga, Patrice Siolo, Alex Seyfarth, Bilal Marboun.

Coach: Brett Hodgson.

Details of Newtown’s next game:

NSWRL Canterbury Cup NSW – 8^th Round

Saturday, 4^th May 2019

Henson Park

Newtown v South Sydney

Kick-Off: 3.00pm.