Despite losing half back Todd Murphy due to injury on the morning of the match, the Sharks NSW Cup partners the Newtown Jets have scored a 30-18 victory over the Wentworthville Magpies.
While the loss of Murphy meant a reshuffle was required, with forward Tinirau Arona also an omission from the Jets side due his receiving a call up to the Sharks NRL team, the Jets still proved too good for the Magpies in slippery conditions at Henson Park.
The final margin may have seen just two tries separating the two teams, however two late Magpie tries made the fulltime score perhaps a little closer than it should have been.
For the second week in a row Mitch Brown crossed for two tries while playing on the wing, with Dallas Wells an unsung hero of the last three Newtown victories after being switched to the five eighth position after starting the season on the wing.
Wells, who played in the Sharks NYC team in 2014, is a member of the 2015 fulltime NRL squad.
The match was also notable for the return of Eels-contracted forward Richie Fa'aoso in the Wentworthville team. Fa’aoso suffered a fracture in his neck some 18 months ago while playing for the Newcastle Knights.
With the win the Jets moved to sixth position on the VB NSW Cup ladder, although on a congested competition table their points total of six has then level with the second placed Wyong Roos.
Mounties currently lead on 10 points after a perfect five from five start to their season.
The next match for Newtown is against the Bears at North Sydney Oval next Sunday. Kick off is at 3.00pm.
Newtown Jets 30
Mitch Brown 2, Dallas Wells, Sami Sauiluma, Patrice Siolo, Nathan Gardner tries; Gardner 3 goals
beat
Wentworthville Magpies 18
Ben Crooks, Adam Quinlan, Daniel Alvaro, Halauafu Lavaka tries; Luke Kelly goal
Photo – Mike Magee
