Newtown Rugby League Football Club - Established 1908
Rd9 - Jets regain that winning feeling [42-10]

The Newtown Jets reclaimed a place in the VB NSW Cup top four, following their decisive 42-10 win against the Cliff Lyons-coached Manly-Warringah at Henson Park last Saturday.

The Newtown 'Pied Piper', John Trad, made five victory circuits on his penny-farthing in the first half.

The Jets went into this match with a much stronger side than the previous weekend and took control of proceedings early in the first half. Newtown took a lead of 28-0 in at halftime and could well have added further tries to their first half tally.

Predictably the Sea Eagles fought back early in the second half and put on two tries before the Jets reasserted their control of the game.

Newtown added a further three tries for the final scoreline of 42-10. The match statistics made for some interesting analysis. Manly registered a very high completion rate in both halves but Newtown had more plays with the ball overall, proving that it's what a team does with the ball that ultimately counts, not just the maths of how many sets are completed during a game.

Coach's assessment

Newtown's coach Greg Matterson was pleased with his team's improvement from the previous week, but he noted that was to be expected given the injection of quality players into key positions for this Manly game.

The Jets face up to old-time rivals North Sydney next Saturday, who are sure to be in a testy mood following their surprise loss to Cronulla-Sutherland which cost the Bears their place at the top of the competition table. Matterson predicts that the Newtown-Norths match will be a fiery contest and the young Jets will need to step up another notch in discipline and intensity for this formidable test of their abilities.

Player performances

Jets lock, Ahmad Ellaz, continued his run of strong form this season and showed positive development in his game with some effective off-loads in tackles.

Front-rower, Isaac Liu, in his first year out of the Roosters Toyota Cup squad, continues to impress and he was one of Newtown's strongest forwards in the Manly match.

Clever hooker, Anthony Mitchell, is a class act and he confounded the Sea Eagles defence with his scheming and darting runs from dummy-half.

Second-rower, Tom Symonds, positioned himself for some powerful runs out wide but he was closely marked by the Manly-Warringah defenders, who had clearly done their homework as to who the more dangerous Newtown ball runners were likely to be.

Daniel Mortimer's return to the team added quality into the halves, while centre, Justin Carney, displayed so much power and vigour that coach Matterson moved him into the second-row to give him a bit more physical involvement in the game.

Second-rower, Nick Ehsman, finished with two tries, a reward for his trademark tireless support play.

Match summary

Newtown Jets 42 [Nick Ehsman 2, Adam Henry, Tautau Moga, Tom Symonds, Isaac Liu, Anthony Mitchell, Isaac Maliota tries; Jack Littlejohn 5 goals
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 10 [2 tries; 1 goal]

Half-time: Newtown led 28-0

Officials: Referee, Mick Laverty; Touch Judges, Peter Crombie-Brown and Richard Daizli.

Glorious winter day at Henson. Sun shining, supporters in good voice. Hill well populated. Ground covered in active kids at half-time. A host of children running behind John Trad doing his victory circuits on his penny farthing after each try. Fifty or more supporters to greet the players at the hill fence after the game.

A great afternoon was had by all in the royal blue!

Next game

The Newtown Jets are back at Henson Park next Saturday, 5 May, for what is always one of the season's marquee occasions - the home game against fellow 1908 foundation club, the North Sydney Bears.

The Shoremen are in third position on the competition table, ahead of Newtown only on points for and against. Saturday's traditional "needle match" gets underway at 3.00pm and is the first leg of the annual Frank Hyde Shield series between the two old clubs.