Master Class display by Tommy Hazelton a key feature of Newtown’s 30-16 win over the Dragons

Jets had to overhaul the Dragons second half points surge.

Newtown had been the dominant team in the first half of Sunday’s NSW Cup match at the Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, but the Jets only led 12-4 at half-time.

After conceding the first try of the match to the Dragons, Tommy Hazelton broke through the St George-Illawarra defensive line and sprinted forty metres to score. Winger Tom Rodwell scored Newtown’s second try just three minutes later.

A conversion and penalty goal by halfback Niwhai Puru gave Newtown their 12-4 half-time lead.

The Dragons put on two converted tries early in the second half and showed they were determined to win their first match of the NSW Cup season. St George-Illawarra led 16-12 ten minutes into the second half and another try would have made Newtown’s task very difficult.

The Jets stepped up to the challenge and dominated possession and territory for most of the remainder of the second half.

Livewire five-eighth Daniel Atkinson scored his first try after the Jets had made a long-range break.

Tommy Hazelton extended Newtown’s lead when he powered his way across the line in the 65th minute.

The elusive Daniel Atkinson scored again in the 73rd minute which along with Niwhai Puru’s goal-kicking took Newtown out to a 30-16 lead.

Tom Hazelton turned on an exceptional front-rower’s performances that identified him as one of the form forwards of the Knock-On Effect NSW Cup competition.

Niwhai Puru and Daniel Atkinson are proving to be a top-class halves combination.

Newtown meets Canterbury-Bankstown at Henson Park next Saturday, 1st April at 3.00pm in what will be a fifth-round top of the table NSW Cup clash.

Saturday’s match has been designated as a special occasion for the Newtown club and its supporters to honour the memory of the late Ken Wilson.

NSWRL Knock-On Effect NSW Cup – Fourth Round
Sunday, 26th March 2023
Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Kogarah
St George-Illawarra v Newtown
Kick-Off was at 3.55pm.

Newtown’s team was: –
Fullback: Connor Tracey

Wingers: Josh Mansour, Thomas Rodwell

Centres: Jacob Gagan, Samuel Stonestreet
Halves: Daniel Atkinson, Niwhai Puru
Lock: Billy Magoulias (Capt)

Second-Rowers: Jordin Leiu, Charbel Tasipale
Front-Rowers: Rhys Dakin, Thomas Hazelton
Hooker: Jayden Berrell

Interchange: Caleb Uele, Tyler Slade, Tuku Hau Tapuha, Kyle Pickering.
Reserve: Brad Fearnley.

Coach: George Ndaira.
Blue Shirt Trainer: Tom Haberecht.
Yellow Shirt Trainer: Craig Tredinnick.
Orange Shirt Trainer: Chris Moubarak.

St George-Illawarra: –

Fullback: Paul Turner
Wingers: Alexander Lobb, Sione Finau

Centres: Tautau Moga, Max Feagai
Halves: Zach Herring, Talatau Amone
Lock: Michael Molo.

Second-Rowers: Dan Russell, Billy Burns
Front-Rowers: Jaiyden Hunt, Nick Lui-Toso

Hooker: Connor Muhleisen
Interchange: Haele Finau, Ryan Couchman, Aaron Johnson, Jacob Webster.

Reserve: Treigh Stewart.
Coach: Bronx Goodwin.

Referee: Wyatt Raymond
Touch Judges: Mitch Currie and Liam Nicholls.

Playing surface: Excellent
Weather: Overcast, 24 degrees; 60% humidity; 18 km/h wind.

Newtown 30:
Thomas Hazelton 2, Daniel Atkinson 2, Thomas Rodwell tries;

Niwhai Puru 4 conversions, 1 penalty goal
defeated
St George-Illawarra 16:
Alexander Lobb 2, Haele Finau tries;

Alexander Lobb 2 conversions.

Half-Time: Newtown led 12-4.

Match Timeline for the 26th March 2023:

9th minute: Alexander Lobb try.

11th minute: Not converted. Dragons 4-0

14th minute: Thomas Hazelton try.
15th minute: Niwhai Puru conversion. Newtown 6-4.

17th minute: Thomas Rodwell try.
18th minute: Not converted. Newtown 10-4.
25th minute: Niwhai Puru penalty goal. Newtown 12-4.

Half-Time: Newtown led 12-4.

44th minute: Haele Finau try.

46th minute: Alexander Lobb conversion. Newtown 12-10.

48th minute: Alexander Lobb try.

50th minute: Alexander Lobb conversion. Dragons 16-12.
53rd minute: Aaron Johnson (Dragons) sin-binned.
54th minute: Daniel Atkinson try.
55th minute: Niwhai Puru conversion. Newtown 18-16.
65th minute: Thomas Hazelton try.

66th minute: Niwhai Puru converted. Newtown 24-16.

73rd minute: Daniel Atkinson try.

74th minute: Niwhai Puru conversion. Newtown 30-16.

Full-Time: Newtown won 30-16.

Sunday’s match statistics:

Completions:

1st half: Newtown 12/18 (67%) Dragons 12/16 (75%)

2nd half: Newtown 16/20 (80%) Dragons 10/17 (59%)

Full-Time: Newtown 28/38 (74%) Dragons 22/33 (67%)

Possession:

1st half: Newtown 59 tackles (47%) Dragons 67 tackles (53%)

2nd half: Newtown 58 tackles (49%) Dragons 60 tackles (51%)

Full-Time: Newtown 117 tackles (48%) Dragons 127 tackles (52%)

Penalties:

1st half: Newtown 3 Dragons 4

2nd half: Newtown 4 Dragons 2

Full-Time: Newtown 7 Dragons 6

Newtown’s next match details:

NSWRL Knock-On Effect NSW Cup – Fifth Round
Saturday, 1st April 2023
Henson Park
Newtown v Canterbury-Bankstown
Kick-Off: 3.00pm.
This match has been designated as a special occasion to honour the memory of the late Ken Wilson.