A dominant first half performance has powered the Newtown Jets to a 36-12 victory over the Penrith Panthers in their round four Intrust Super Premiership match.
The Jets controlled the ball and had the better of the field position in taking a 22-0 lead to the half time break, then went on with the job with a professional second period in what was an impressive win against the defending ISP Premiers.
The first Jets try came when Will Kennedy chimed in down the left hand side and put his outside men into space, Matt Evans scoring wide out.
Kyle Flanagan was on target with his kick at goal and it was 6-0 to Newtown early in the match.
The Jets continued to press and now with possession and momentum well and truly in their favour doubled their lead, this time it was Kennedy on the right hand side, doubling around before sending Bessie Aufaga-Toomaga over in the opposite corner.
Flanagan was again picture perfect with his kick at goal and it was 12-0 Jets.
The first half continued to go the way of the Newtown side and it was Sharks 2018 recruit Aaron Gray who was in the thick of the action.
Gray pounced on a Kennedy grubber kick for his first try, then made it a double after a clever exchange of passing following a Billy Magnolias off-load and with Flanagan kicking the first but missing the second conversion attempt the Jets would go to half time ahead by 22-0.
After what was more than likely a lively spray from their coach the Panthers came out of half time with plenty of energy and their early efforts were rewarded, their first points coming after the Jets failed to clean up a Penrith fifth tackle kick.
With the extra two points added it was 22-6 to Newtown but the Penrith comeback was short-lived, Jets centre Ruben Rennie extending the lead when he ran 45-metres to score after finding space following a Scott Sorensen off-load.
Flanagan was again able to add to the lead, making it 28-6 with around 25 minutes of the match remaining.
The Panthers would score their second, again the try coming from a kick, before a late tackle on five eighth Jack Williams saw Flanagan slot a penalty goal in pushing the score out to 30-12 and the points were going the way of the Jets.
Newtown would put the finishing touches on the win when Flanagan found Magoulias with a well timed pass, with the Jets comprehensive 36-12 victors.
The Jets had a number of outstanding performers, with Kennedy excellent in the first half, Williams busy in the halves and Sorensen damaging on the Newtown left edge.
Newtown-contracted centre Rennie also proved to be a handful for the Panthers almost every time the touched the ball.
Like their senior partners the Sharks, the Jets are now two wins from their first four matches of the 2018 season.
NEWTOWN JETS 36
Aaron Gray 2, Ruben Rennie, Billy Magoulias, Bessie Aufaga-Toomaga, Matt Evans tries, Kyle Flanagan 6 goals from 7 attempts.
Beat
PENRITH PANTHERS 12
