Virtual Match Report: Jets and the Magpies turn on a thriller for the Return to Lidcombe Day crowd

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There was a big crowd in attendance for Saturday’s Return to Lidcombe Day, but the Newtown Jets spoiled the party for Wests Magpies with a late field goal to snatch a 23-22 win. Former Magpie and Jet Tom Raudonikis and Newtown’s official sponsor John Singleton were both on hand to see the first leg of the Tom Raudonikis Cup series for 2018.

Wests had dominated the first half and looked to be set for a comfortable victory, leading by 22-4 just prior to halftime. The Magpies had completed better in the first half and had enjoyed more than 60% of possession. The Jets scored a converted try right on halftime to stay alive in the contest at 22-10 in arrears. 

The third quarter of the game was a dour struggle with neither side able to score extra points. This probably suited Wests who were defending their lead and had ground out victories in similar style in recent weeks.

Newtown broke the stalemate when halfback Kyle Flanagan and winger Sione Katoa combined for a long break up the right hand side, followed up by second-rower Billy Magoulias sending five-eighth Jack A. Williams in to score at the left of the posts. Flanagan converted, and it was game on at 22-16.

The Jets were greatly energised by this try, and replacement centre Addison Demetriou made a remarkable bulldozing run that gained sixty metres and put Newtown in a strong attacking position. A subsequent penalty to Newtown and the sin-binning of a Wests winger added to the Magpies’ difficulties. Williams put on a classic “show and go” and sliced through for his second try. Flanagan’s conversion made it 22-all with five minutes left to play. Wests had time for one unsuccessful field goal attempt, but Kyle Flanagan made no mistake with his field-goal shot in the 78th minute.

Jack A. Williams had a great second half and Addison “The D-Train” Demetriou again demonstrated what an effective shock weapon he is. Big winger Charlton Schaafhausen scored an eighty-metre try in the first half and prevented a Wests try with a jolting tackle that forced the Magpie player to drop the ball. The Jets forwards toughed it out in the second half and defended well right on their own tryline.

The Newtown Jets are back at home at Henson Park this Saturday (2nd June), when they will take on Canterbury-Bankstown in the 13th round of the ISP NSW competition. This match kicks off at 3.00pm.

NSWRL Intrust Super Premiership – 12th Round Saturday, 26th May 2018 Lidcombe Oval Western Suburbs v Newtown

Kick-Off: 1.00pm.

This match was televised live by Channel Nine and was broadcast live on Steele Sports.

Newtown 23:

Jack A. Williams 2, Charlton Schaafhausen, Anthony Moraitis tries; Kyle Flanagan 3 conversions and 1 field goal defeated Western Suburbs 22:

Luke Garner 2, Tony Tali, Braden Robson tries; Tyson Gamble 3 conversions.

Half-Time:

Western Suburbs led by 22-10.

Referees: Adam Cassidy and Keiren Irons.

Touch Judges: Liam Nicholls and Mark Bohan.

Playing surface: Excellent.

Weather: Fine, sunny, 21 degrees C.

Newtown’s team was:

William Kennedy, Charlton Schaafhausen, Matt Evans, Reubenn Rennie, Sione Katoa, Jack a. williams, Kyle Flanagan, Braden Uele, Blayke Brailey, Kurt Dillon, Briton Nikora, Anthony Moraitis (Capt), Daniel Vasquez.

Interchange: Addison Demetriou, Billy Magoulias, Wes Lolo, Malakai Houma.

Coach: Greg Matterson.

Western Suburbs:

Watson Heleta, Malakai Watene-Zelezniak, Tony Tali, Kevin Naiqama, Lucas Price, Tyson Gamble, Pita Godinet, JJ Felise, Matt McIlwrick, Sauaso Sue, Chris McQueen, Luke Garner (Capt), Bayley Sironen.

Interchange: Patrice Siolo, Cowen Epere, Braden Robson, Joseph Katuvakacereivalo.

Coach: Brett Hodgson.

Joel Caine interviews Tom Raudonikis and John Singleton at Lidcombe Oval on Saturday:  https://wwos.nine.com.au/2018/05/26/17/00/nrl-tommy-raudonikis-makes-return-to-lidcombe-oval-newtown-jets?ocid=Social-9NewsS

Alby Talarico conducts a post-match interview with Kyle Flanagan (who kicked the winning field-goal for Newtown):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJz0qghLKiA&feature=youtu.be

Alby also interviewed Matt Evans after fulltime on Saturday:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECIsDAoUboQ&feature=youtu.be

Mario Facchini took these photos at Lidcombe Oval on Saturday:  http://mafphotography.blogspot.com/2018/05/intrust-super-premiership-2018-round_26.html?spref=tw