The Jets bring back two valuable points from their trip to the northern Coalfields

NSWRL Intrust Super Premiership NSW – 14^th Round

Saturday, 10^th June 2017

Cessnock Sports Ground

Newcastle Knights v Newtown

Kick-off time was 3.00pm.

Newtown 18:

Daniel Mortimer, Jesse Ramien, Edrick Lee tries;

Fa’amanu Brown 3 goals

defeated

Newcastle Knights 16:

Sam Mataora, Trent Hodkinson, Tom Hughes tries;

Trent Hodkinson 2 goals.

Half-Time: Newtown led 18-6.

Referee: Adam Cassidy. Touch Judges: Joe Eid and Ben Teague.

Playing surface: In excellent condition despite several days of heavy rain.

Weather: Grey and overcast. Heavy rain had fallen during the morning.

Temperature: 16 degrees. Slight south-easterly breeze.

Newtown’s team for this match was:
Matt Evans, Edrick Lee, Jordan Drew, Jesse Ramien, James Tuitahi, Daniel Mortimer, Fa’amanu Brown, Jayden McDonogh, Kenny Niko, Jack Williams, Kurt Dillon, Kurt Kara, Tepatasi Fuiavailili.

Bench: Jaimin (Jimmy) Jolliffe, Saulala Houma, Leigh Higgins, Jordan Galloway.

Coach: Greg Matterson.

Saulala Houma was playing his 100^th game for the Newtown Jets, and Matt Evans was playing his 50^th game for the club. Congratulations from everyone at the Newtown RLFC to both players.

Newcastle Knights:

Nick Meaney, Tom Hughes, Cory Denniss, Jacob Gagan, Tom Cronan, William Pearsall, Trent Hodkinson, Tyrone Amey, Braden Robson, Pat Mata’utia, Mickey Paea, Joey Morris, Sam Mataora.

Bench: Tom Starling, Bradie Smith, Sam Bernstrom, Pauli Pauli.

Coach: Simon Woolford.

Congratulations to the young Newtown RLFC staff member Corey Griffiths-Simpson who has been chosen to be a ball-boy for State of Origin II at ANZ Stadium on Wednesday, 21^st June 2017.

Match Timeline: –

First Half:

Newcastle kicked off to the southern end of the Cessnock Sports Ground.

The Knights came out of the blocks fast and dominated the first five minutes.

6^th minute: Sam Mataora scores to the right of the goal-posts.

Converted by Trent Hodkinson. Knights 6-0 after 7 minutes.

10^th min; Midfield penalty to Newtown gives the Jets a chance to get at the Knights end.

11^th min; Determined try by Daniel Mortimer, scored to the right of the northern end goal-posts

Converted by Fa’amanu Brown. 6-all after 12 mins.

13^th min; James Tuitahi goes close on the right-hand northern corner but is tackled out.

21^st min: Relieving penalty to Jets to get them away from their own line.

30^th min: Jesse Ramien scores 10 metres in from north-east corner.

Converted from wide out by Fa’amanu Brown. Newtown 12-6.

35^th minute: Jets moving the ball well and with purpose.

Daniel Mortimer’s cut-out pass ends in a try to Edrick Lee who takes the ball closer in to the posts.

Converted by Fa’amanu Brown. Newtown leads 18-6 after 36 minutes.

38^th minute: Knights looking dangerous at Newtown’s end but they lose the ball 5 metres out from Jets tryline.

Half-Time: Newtown leads 18-6.

Completions: Newtown 16/20, Knights 13/18.

Newtown had 56% of possession.

Coach Matterson says that defence is the key to the second half and he calls for a huge defensive effort from his players, knowing there will be a resurgence from the Knights.

Both teams desperately need to take the competition points from this game.

Second Half:

Jets kick off to the southern end.

Knights knock on a high kick in the 47^th minute.

Jordan Drew goes very close to scoring.

Penalty to Newtown in 48^th minute helps keep the pressure on the Knights.

Kenny Niko takes a resounding hit to the side of his head and leaves the field for medical observation.

Knights get close to scoring in the 55^th minute.

Repeat sets to the Knights at Newtown’s end in the 60^th minute and now it’s the Jets under the cosh.

Jets defence stays solid.

63^rd minute: Trent Hodkinson charges down a Jets clearing kick, toes the ball ahead, regathers and scores to the left of the northern end uprights.

He converts his own try. Newtown 18-12 in 65^th minute.

Knights stack their left side and good ball-handling and a determined effort by winger Tom Hughes sees him score in the north-west corner in 66^th minute.

Not converted. Newtown leads 18-16 with 13 minutes left to play.

71^st minute: Knights tackled out over the sideline 10 metres out from Newtown’s tryline.

Knights maintain the attacking pressure.

Jets turn over the ball midfield in the 77^th minute.

Penalty to Newtown 20 metres out from their own line in the 79^th minute settles the issue.

Full-Time: Newtown wins 18-16.

Coach Matterson says this was a good, hard win and one we needed badly.

Second half completions:

Newtown 13/17; Knights 13/18.

Knights had 52% of possession.

Penalties for the match: Newtown 7-5.