Fielding a squad depleted by call ups to the Sharks NRL side the Newtown Jets have gone down to Mounties in their round two Intrust Super Premiership match.
With Tony Williams, Joseph Paulo, Kurt Capewell and Jeremy Latimore missing from the team which recorded a narrow round one win, added to the fact Daniel Mortimer and Malakai Houma would suffer first half injuries and take no further part, Mounties would prove too good in scoring a 46-28 triumph over the Newtown side.
The match began well enough with a Manaia Cherrington line break leading to a Kurt Dillon try and almost before the spectators had settled in their seats the Jets were up 6-0.
From there momentum shifted and Mounties, led by a strong performance from Sharks junior and 2016 Jets team member Anthony Moraitis, assumed control.
At halftime the Jets were close enough if good enough and without Mortimer and Houma it was a difficult task but it would be Newtown to score first in the second 40, a try to Matt Evans and a Jack Williams conversion putting them 14-12 in front.
But from almost that point Mounties hit the accelerator, five unanswered tries putting them out to a match winning lead.
The Jets would score some consolation tries, two to young back rower Jayden Walker and a second to Evans, as the scoreline would take on a more respectable look, however the points were secure for Mounties and the Jets were left licking their wounds.
The appearance of Sam Tagataese helped the Newtown cause somewhat, while the injuries to Mortimer (cork) and Houma (knee) will be assessed in the coming days.
The Jets now go on to play the Illawarra Cutters at WIN Stadium in a round three match next Saturday.
MOUNTIES 48
beat
NEWTOWN 22
Matt Evans 2, Jayden Walker 2, Kurt Dillon tries, Jason Schirnack 2, Daniel Mortimer, Jack Williams goals
