Mounties make the Jets pay for their high error rate

The Newtown Jets went down 32-16 to the Canberra Raiders partnership club, Mounties, in the Canterbury Cup NSW round two match played at Shark Park on Saturday, 23^rd March.

Mounties dominated the first half and led 22-6 at halftime. Newtown’s first half completion rate hovered around the fifty per cent mark and they had much less possession than their opponents. This game was played in hot, humid conditions and the Jets’ defensive structure was breached on several occasions, with Mounties scoring four tries in the first half.

The Jets did fight back in the second half even though there was very little improvement in their completion rate. Newtown trailed 26-16 with just on fifteen minutes left to play, but Mounties added a converted try just before fulltime to complete the scoring.

Newtown’s best players were Daniel Vasquez and Siosifa Talakai in the forwards and Braydon Trindall in the backs. Polished centre Bronson Xerri scored for Newtown in the 52^nd minute and he combined cleverly with Talakai to send the burly second-rower over to score with fifteen minutes remaining.

Jets coach Greg Matterson observed that his team wasn’t giving themselves a competitive chance with their high mistake rate. No team can compete effectively at a high standard of rugby league with such a high error count.

Newtown’s next match is a long-awaited local derby against South Sydney at the Metricon High Performance Centre (Redfern Oval) on Sunday, 31^st March at 1.10pm. This match is to be televised live on Channel Nine.

Last Saturday’s match details:

NSWRL Canterbury Cup NSW – Second Round

Saturday, 23^rd March 2019

Shark Park

Newtown v Mounties

Kick-Off was at 12.45pm.

Mounties 32:

Tony Satini 2, Luke Bateman, Hudson Young, Sebastian Kris, Bailey Simonsson tries;

Sam Williams 4 goals

defeated

Newtown 16:
Matt Evans, Bronson Xerri, Siosifa Talakai tries;

Kyle Flanagan 2 goals.

Half-Time: Mounties led 22-6.

Newtown’s team on Saturday was:

Will Kennedy, Rusiate Lumelume, Bronson Xerri, Jackson Ferris, Matt Evans, Braydon Trindall, Kyle Flanagan, Jaimin Jolliffe, James Segeyaro, Braden Hamlin-Uele, Joshua Carr, Siosifa Talakai, Greg Eastwood.

Bench: Anthony Moraitis, Billy Magoulias, Daniel Vasquez, Wes Lolo.

Coach: Greg Matterson.

Mounties:

Brad Abbey, Tony Satini, Reubenn Rennie, Sebastian Kris, Baily Simonsson, Mafoa’aeata Hingano, Sam Williams, Jack Murchie, Tom Starling, Royce Hunt, Reuben Porter, Hudson Young, Luke Bateman.

Bench: Brendan O’Hagan, Emre Guler, Steven Tavita, JJ Collins.

Coach: Peter Marrapodi.

Referee: Damian Brady

Touch Judges: Cameron Paddy and Mark Bohan

Playing surface: Excellent

Weather: Sunny, 30 degrees Celsius, humid, very little breeze.

Details of Newtown’s next match:

NSWRL Canterbury Cup NSW – Third Round

Sunday, 31^st March 2019

Metricon High Performance Centre – Redfern Oval

South Sydney v Newtown

Kick-Off:  1.10pm.

This match is being televised live on Channel Nine.