Strong Sea Eagles defence keeps Jets at bay

Newtown lost 28-16 to Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles in the round three Intrust Super Premiership match played at the H E Laybutt Sports Complex on Sunday. The Manly-Warringah partnership club led 20-16 at halftime, after the Jets had trailed 20-6 midway through the first half.

The Jets fielded a changed line-up to the team that had beaten St George-Illawarra ten days previously. Giant front-rower Braden Uele made his debut for Newtown, as did five-eighth Kyle Flanagan and centre Aaron Gray. Prop Kurt Dillon, who is so well-known to Newtown supporters, also played for the Jets yesterday. Ex-Sharks under 20’s forward Daniel Vasquez was also playing his first competition game for the Jets.

Newtown threw everything they could at the Sea Eagles in what was a tough physical encounter played in very warm conditions. The Jets didn’t quite have the necessary attacking creativity and precision to break through the unyielding Blacktown defence. Scott Sorensen was one of Newtown’s best forwards and Will Kennedy was very sound at fullback.

The impressive Braden Uele scored Newtown’s first try in the ninth minute, and the Jets narrowed the deficit through further tries to second-rower Anthony Moraitis and winger Edrick Lee late in the first half. Newtown was held scoreless in the second half despite having some extended spells in possession at the Sea Eagles’ end of the field.

The Newtown Jets play away next Saturday, 31^st March, against Penrith at Panthers Stadium at 1.00pm. This fourth round ISP NSW match will be televised live on Channel Nine.

NSWRL Intrust Super Premiership NSW – Third Round

Sunday, 25^th March 2018

H E Laybutt Sports Complex, Arndell Park

Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles v Newtown

Kick-Off: 3.00pm.

Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles (BWSE) 28:

Taniela Paseka 2, Jade Anderson, John Folau, Eric Newbigging tries;

Matthew Wright 3, Joey Lussick goals

defeated

Newtown 16:

Braden Uele, Anthony Moraitis, Edrick Lee tries;

Kyle Flanagan 2 goals.

Half-Time: BWSE led 20-16.

This match was broadcast live on Triple H FM 100.1

Referee: Tim Roby

Touch Judges: Jake Sutherland and Joseph Eid

Newtown’s team was:

Will Kennedy. Matt Evans, Aaron Gray, Reubenn Rennie, Edrick Lee, Kyle Flanagan, Jesse Marschke, Kurt Dillon, Blayke Brailey, Braden Uele, Scott Sorensen, Briton Nikora, Jack Williams.

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

BWSE:

Honeti Tuha, Jade Anderson, John Folau, Matthew Wright, Jonathan Wright, Tom Wright, Joey Lussick, Taniela Paseka, Manase Fainu, Taealoaloa Amone, Jack Gosiewski, Frank Winterstein, Lewis Brown.

Interchange: Tekina Vailea, Cody Nelson, Tyler Cassel, Fred Mauala, Eric Newbigging.

Coach: Steven Hales.

Playing surface: Excellent.

Weather: 32 degrees C; NNW wind 30 km/h; 30% humidity.

Match statistics:

Completions:

First half – Newtown 10/15, BWSE 11/16

Second half – Newtown 15/22, BWSE 13/16.

Match: Newtown 25/37 (68%), BWSE 24/32 (75%)

In possession:

First half – Newtown 52%, BWSE 48%

Second half: Newtown 51%, BWSE 49%

Match: Newtown 52%, BWSE 48%

Penalties:
First half: BWSE 5-2

Second half: Newtown 9-2

Match: Newtown 11-7.