Pele hat-trick helps to secure victory over Mounties

(Courtesy of the NSWRL)

Blockbusting forward Franklin Pele scored a rare front-rower’s hat-trick to help the Newtown Jets secure a dominant 46-14 victory over Mounties, in the Knock-On Effect NSW Cup match played on Saturday at the Aubrey Keech Reserve.

An error from Mounties in the first set allowed Newtown to assert some early pressure. The visitors took full advantage of their opportunity through towering front-rower Thomas Hazelton, who powered his way through the line and reached out to score under the posts.

The Jets went back-to-back when five-eighth Kade Dykes sliced through Mounties’ line before offloading to dashing fullback Lachlan Miller, who turned the afterburners on to score between the uprights.

Mounties had their opportunities to get on the scoreboard, and they were finally able to crack the Jets’ defence through Tui Katoa who dived over in the corner following a cut-out pass from second rower Dane Aukafolau.

Newtown’s interchange forward Franklin Pele terrorised the home side’s defence in the final five minutes of the half, crashing over twice (in the 35th and 37th minutes) to give his side a 24-4 lead at the break.

The Jets continued their dominance by being the first to score in the second half, when the elusive Kade Dykes stepped and weaved his way over for Newtown’s fifth try of the afternoon.

Newtown came up with another try through a clever offload from back-rower Kayne Kalache, which saw Rhys Davies streak away downfield before finding Tyla Tamou to finish off the movement.

A short restart allowed Mounties a chance to respond, and the home side took advantage as Dane Aukafolau burst through a hole to score his side’s first try of the half.

Mounties scored consecutive tries for the first time in the game after a short side raid found Dylan Smith, who stepped around a Jets defender to score in the corner.

With less than ten minutes left Newtown’s “Mr Versatile”, Tyla Tamou, claimed his second try after picking up a loose ball and dashing in to score.

One of the highlights of the afternoon was saved for the 77th minute, when Pele completed his hat-trick, running 80-plus metres to score in the corner and give his side a commanding 46-14 victory.

Newtown centre Mawene Hiroti had landed seven conversions in a row but was unable to improve on Pele’s try and make it eight out of eight.

Five-eighth Kade Dykes starred for the Jets, breaking the line on several occasions and scoring one try, proving to be a constant threat to Mounties.

Franklin Pele had an afternoon to remember, scoring twice before the break and streaking away for his third late in the match.

The Jets were solid in defence in withstanding plenty of Mounties attacking pressure, giving Newtown the platform to attack with such authority.

Mounties were still in the contest just prior to halftime, but the Franklin Pele try-scoring double within the last five minutes of the first half virtually put paid to the hopes of the home team.

Other Newtown players who impressed in this valuable win were Jayden Berrell, Lachlan Miller, Myles Lee-Taueli, Thomas Hazelton and Mawene Hiroti.

The second-placed Newtown Jets (now on 25 points) take on the fifth-placed Parramatta Eels (22 points) at Henson Park on Sunday, 17th July at 3.00pm.

Match details:

NSWRL Knock-On Effect NSW Cup – 17th Round
Saturday, 9th July 2022
Aubrey Keech Reserve, Hinchinbrook
Mounties v Newtown
Kick-Off: 3.00pm.

Playing surface: Very good.

Weather: Sunny, 17 degrees.

Referee: Damian Brady

Touch Judges: Liam Nicholls, Mitchell Stone.

Newtown’s team was:
FB: Lachlan Miller
W: Matt Ikuvalu, Tyla Tamou
C: Mawene Hiroti, Kayal Iro
5/8: Kade Dykes
HB: Rhys Davies
L: Billy Magoulias
SR: Myles Lee-Taueli, Kayne Kalache
FR: Thomas Hazelton, Jesse Colquhoun
H: Jayden Berrell.
Interchange: Caleb Uele, Liam Harris, Franklin Pele, Jensen Taumoepeau.

18th man: Vincent Rennie.

Coach: Greg Matterson.

Mounties:
FB: Dylan Smith
W: Watson Heleta, Tuipulotu Katoa
C: Tim Simona, Semisi Kioa
5/8: Brad Abbey
HB: Josh Ralph
L: Dean Matterson
SR: Haimona Hiroti, Dane Aukafolau
FR: Ben Seufale, Jack Quinn
H: Josh Daley.
Interchange: Jarrett Subloo, Stuart Mason, Mitchell Butfield, Denzal Tonise.

18th man: Jamon Wormleaton.

Coach: Brock Sheppard.

Match Result:

Newtown 46:
Franklin Pele 3, Tyla Tamou 2, Thomas Hazelton, Lachlan Miller, Kade Dykes tries:
Mawene Hiroti 7 conversions

defeated
Mounties 14:
Tuipulotu Katoa, Dane Aukafolau, Dylan Smith tries;

Dylan Smith 1 conversion.

Half-Time: Newtown led 24-4.

Match Timeline:

4th minute: Thomas Hazelton try.

5th minute: Mawene Hiroti conversion. Newtown 6-0.

14th minute: Lachlan Miller try.
15th minute: Mawene Hiroti conversion. Newtown 12-0.

23rd minute: Tuipulotu Katoa try. Not converted. Newtown 12-4.
35th minute: Franklin Pele try.

36th minute: Mawene Hiroti conversion. Newtown 18-4.

37th minute: Franklin Pele try.

39th minute: Mawene Hiroti conversion. Newtown 24-4.

Half-Time: Newtown led 24-4.
Both Newtown and Mounties had gone close to scoring on several occasions in the first half.
Second Half:
52nd minute: Kade Dykes try.

54th minute: Mawene Hiroti conversion. Newtown 30-4.
57th minute: Tyla Tamou try.
58th minute: Mawene Hiroti conversion. Newtown 36-4.

60th minute: Dane Aukafolau try.
61st minute: Dylan Smith conversion. Newtown 36-10.
67th minute: Dylan Smith try. Not converted. Newtown 36-14.
73rd minute: Tyla Tamou try.
74th minute: Mawene Hiroti conversion. Newtown 42-14.

77th minute: Franklin Pele try.

79th minute: Not converted by Mawene Hiroti. Newtown 46-14.
Full-Time: Newtown 46-14.

Newtown’s next game:

NSWRL Knock-On Effect NSW Cup
18th Round
Sunday, 17th July 2022
Henson Park
Newtown (in second place on 25 points) v Parramatta (in fifth place on 22 points)
Kick-Off: 3.00pm.