Suddenly it’s the 4th June 2011 again

Virtually to the day eight years ago the Newtown Jets went into a match at Henson Park against Wentworthville as complete underdogs and emerged triumphant. Yesterday at Henson Park the Jets came up against a Wentworthville team fielding no fewer than eight players with recent NRL experience with Parramatta – but once again defied the odds with a dramatic and memorable 22-10 victory. (To be fair to the rugby league tipsters, Jamie Soward in his nswrl.com column on Friday nominated Newtown to win by a point!)

Wentworthville opened the scoring with an unconverted try in the ninth minute but the Jets had much the better of the second quarter of the game, with tries to Luke Polselli (20^th minute), Ronaldo Mulitalo (29^th) and Will Kennedy (35^th). Braydon Trindall converted two of these tries for Newtown to head into the sheds at halftime with an unexpected 16-4 lead.

Wenty came out firing early in the second half and scored a converted try in the 44^th minute, even though the pro-Newtown crowd challenged the referee’s ruling. The Jets showed great defensive resilience for the remainder of the second half as they maintained their 16-10 lead. The Newtown boys thrilled the crowd with a superb try to Matt Evans in the 77^th minute that sealed the result and put the Jets into the Canterbury Cup top eight for the first time this season.

Match details:

Newtown 22:

Luke Polselli, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Will Kennedy, Matt Evans tries;

Braydon Trindall 3 conversions

defeated

Wentworthville 10:

Salesi Faingaá 2 tries;

Joseph Taipari 1 goal.

Halftime: Newtown led 16-4.

Referee: Darian Furner.

Touch Judges: Jake Sutherland and Joseph Eid.

Playing surface: Very good.

Weather: Grey, overcast, 14 degrees, slight NW breeze.

Newtown’s team:
Will Kennedy, Sione Katoa, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Matt Evans, Luke Polselli, Jack A. Williams, Braydon Trindall, Wes Lolo, Craig Garvey, Jimmy Jolliffe, Teig Wilton, Siosifa Talakai, Greg Eastwood.

Bench: Josh Carr, Isaac Lumelume, Tyla Tamou, Cruz Topai-Aveai.

Coach: Greg Matterson.

Wentworthville:
Bevan French, George Jennings, Brad Takairangi, Ethan Parry, Greg Leleisiuao, Jaeman Salmon, Joseph Taipari, Tim Mannah, Matt McIlwrick, Daniel Alvaro, Andrew Davey, Salesi Faingaá, Ray Stone.

Bench: Brad Keighran, Mitch Butfield, Oregon Kaufusi, Stefano Utoikamanu.

Coach: Rip Taylor.

Newtown’s next game:

NSWRL Canterbury Cup NSW – Round 14

Saturday, 15^th June 2019

Aubrey Keech Reserve, Hinchinbrook

Mounties v Newtown

Kick-Off: 3.00pm.