Jets Finish Too Strongly for Sharks - League Unlimited
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Jets Finish Too Strongly for Sharks
Written by: Bumper Dwyer
July 14th, 2008 12:49pm
The Newtown Jets defeated Cronulla-Sutherland 42-20 in the VB NSW Cup match played at Henson Park on Saturday, but only wrapped the game up in the final twenty minutes. The teams were locked up at 10-all at halftime and the Jets only led by 22-16 midway through the second half, but three tries in a period of less than ten minutes secured this match for Newtown. The Jets had a significant setback when they lost team captain Jimmy Andersen with an ankle injury in the first half.
The Jets had every reason to approach this game with caution. Cronulla might have been in last place on the NSW Cup competition table, but they had ended North Sydney’s unbeaten run the previous weekend and had several players with NRL experience in their ranks. The Jets led 10-0 midway through the first half after fullback Byron Ford had posted two tries and then had an extended period of ball possession and favourable field position without adding any further points. All the danger signs were evident when Cronulla had pulled back level by halftime.
Newtown added further tries to lock Hep Cahill and fullback Ford (his third) but Cronulla continued to stay the pace through a converted try in the 53rd minute. The Jets took control midway through the second half with tries to winger Tevita Folau, halfback Ben Green, second-rower Mickey Paea and hooker Tyrone Shelley. Newtown coach Greg Matterson regarded this win as a good team effort and said Newtown’s creativity with the ball and strong support play were deciding factors in this result. Cronulla’s big forwards found it hard to contain Newtown’s back row and halves as the second half progressed.
Newtown’s best forwards were props Steve Meredith and Stanley Waqa, hooker Rory Kostjasyn and backrowers Mickey Paea and Hep Cahill. Fullback Byron Ford had an outstanding match and was unanimously voted as the players’ player by his team-mates, while halves Sean Rudder and Ben Green also played well. Centre Damon Alley-Tovio was instrumental in the approach work for Newtown’s first try and defended well throughout the match.
The Newtown Jets face another very tough assignment when they travel to Brookvale Oval next Friday (18th July) to play Manly-Warringah, with this match kicking off at 3.30pm. The Sea Eagles are one point behind Newtown on the competition table and have a great record against the Jets at their Brookvale fortress.
NSWRL VB NSW Cup
Saturday, 12th July 2008
Henson Park
Newtown v Cronulla-Sutherland.
Newtown 42:
Byron Ford 3, Hep Cahill, Tevita Folau, Ben Green, Mickey Paea, Tyrone Shelley tries;
Ben Green 5 goals
defeated
Cronulla-Sutherland 20:
James Storer, Tinetali Papalli, Stan Tuionuku, Travis Robinson tries;
Travis Robinson 2 goals.
Half-Time: 10-all.
Newtown’s team was:
1 – Byron Ford
2 – Toshio Laiseni, 20 – Tevita Folau
4 – Damon Alley-Tovio, 5 – Rhys Pritchard
6 – Sean Rudder, 7 – Ben Green
16 – Hep Cahill
13 – Jimmy Andersen (Capt.), 11 – Mickey Paea
10 – Khalid Deeb, 17 – Steve Meredith
9 – Rory Kostjasyn.
Bench:
12 – Danny Howard, 14 – Ray Moujalli
15 – Tyrone Shelley, 21 – Stanley Waqa.
Jimmy Andersen suffered an ankle ligaments injury in the first half and was replaced for the rest of the match.
Weather: cold, sunny.
Playing surface: Excellent.
Referee: Robbie Bowen.
Touch Judges: Danielle Berry, Matt Damaso.
