Underdog Jets stage an upset against the competition leaders

The Newtown Jets pulled off a major upset in defeating the Intrust Super Premiership competition leaders, Mounties, by 34-20 at Hinchinbrook on Saturday afternoon. The Jets went into this 10^th round fixture as decided underdogs, but turned on an outstanding first half performance in establishing a 24-6 halftime lead.

There were several late team changes to the Newtown Jets line-up for Saturday. Winger and NSW under 20’s representative Isaac Lumelume came into the team to make his debut along with powerhouse wingman Charlton Schaafhausen from the Glebe-Burwood club. Lachlan Stein was a late withdrawal due to a hamstring injury and the experienced Trent Hodkinson was also unavailable to play. Jack A. Williams moved up from the interchange bench to partner Kyle Flanagan in the halves. Popular front-rower Malakai Houma was making his return to the Newtown Jets ranks after suffering a very bad leg injury in the 2^nd round of the 2017 ISP NSW competition. Skilful second-rower Ryan King came into the second-row.

The Mounties team, noted for their physicality and with plenty of NRL experience in their ranks, fought back in the second half but never really threatened Newtown’s lead. The Jets played a clever brand of football, and they caused no end of trouble in the first half with their quick passing game and by creating repeated breaks through Mounties edge defence.

Coach Greg Matterson laid down a challenge to his players prior to the game that Newtown’s place on the competition table belied their genuine ability. Despite several late team changes, Matterson was confident that his players had the speed and the right tactics to outsmart the competition front-runners.

Newtown’s tries were all scored through the backs with two each to fullback Will Kennedy and winger Matt Evans, one each to centres Reubenn Rennie and Bessie Aufaga-Toomaga, plus one to halfback Kyle Flanagan. Wes Lolo, Blayke Brailey and Anthony Moraitis were the best of a Newtown forward pack that really took the contest up to their bigger opponents. This was Newtown’s first win against the Canberra Raiders partnership club since July 2014, and also Newtown’s first win at the Aubrey Keech Reserve.

The Newtown Jets are back at home at Henson Park next Saturday, 19^th May, when they meet Wyong at 3.00pm.

Match details:

NSWRL Intrust Super Premiership NSW – 10^th Round

Saturday, 12^th May 2018

Aubrey Keech Reserve, Hinchinbrook

Mounties v Newtown

Kick-Off: 3.00pm.

Newtown 34:

Matt Evans 2, Will Kennedy 2, Kyle Flanagan, Bessie Aufaga-Toomaga, Reubenn Rennie tries;

Kyle Flanagan 3 goals

defeated

Mounties 20:

Michael Oldfield, Craig Garvey, Royce Hunt, Brad Abbey tries;

Sitiveni Moceidreke 2 goals.

Halftime: Newtown led 24-6.

Completions:

1st half: Newtown 15/17 (88%) Mounties 9/13 (69%)

2nd half: Newtown 12/15 (80%) Mounties 12/17 (71%)

F-T: Newtown 27/32 (84%) Mounties 21/30 (70%)

Possession:

1st half: Newtown 60 tackles (59%) Mounties 41 tackles (41%)

2nd half: Newtown 66 tackles (54%) Mounties 57 tackles (46%)

F-T: Newtown 126 tackles (56%) Mounties 98 tackles (44%)

Penalties:

1st half: Newtown 4 Mounties 2

2nd half: Newtown 0 Mounties 5

F-T: Newtown 4 Mounties 7

Newtown’s team was:

Will Kennedy, Matt Evans, Bessie Aufaga-Toomaga, Reubenn Rennie, Isaac Lumelume, Jack A. Williams, Kyle Flanagan, Jimmy Jolliffe, Blayke Brailey, Wes Lolo, Ryan King, Anthony Moraitis, Daniel Vasquez.

Interchange: Addison Demetriou, Billy Magoulias, Malakai Houma, Charlton Schaafhausen.

Coach: Greg Matterson.

Mounties team:

Henry Raiwalui, Mikaele Ravalawa, Michael Oldfield, Edward Murphy, Sitiveni Moceidreke, Bradley Abbey, Sam Williams, Royce Hunt, Craig Garvey, Makahesi Makatoa, Jarrad Kennedy, Jack Murchie, Liam Knight.

Interchange: Emre Guler, Sam Duggan, Mitchell Cahalane, Fabien Paletua-Kiri.

Coach: Ryan Carr.

Referee: Damian Briscoe.

Touch Judges: Pat Mackey and Liam Nicholls.

Weather: Grey, overcast, 17 degrees. Brief sunny period in the second half.

Playing surface: Excellent.

Photos supplied by Mario Facchini:  http://mafphotography.blogspot.com/2018/05/intrust-super-premiership-2018-round_13.html?spref=tw

Match highlights courtesy of the NSWRL:  https://www.nswrl.com.au/news/2018/05/12/jets-reverse-history-to-overcome-mounties/

Newtown’s next game details:

NSWRL Intrust Super Premiership NSW – 11^th Round

MAGIC ROUND of matches:

Saturday, 19^th May 2018

Henson Park

Newtown v Wyong

Kick-Off: 3.00pm.

ISP NSW Curtain-Raisers:

11.00am: Mounties v Wentworthville

1.00pm: St George-Illawarra v New Zealand Warriors (Channel Nine match)