By Newtown Jets Media
The Newtown Jets led 10-8 at halftime against St George Illawarra in the fifth round Intrust Super Premiership rugby league match played at Henson Park on Saturday. Newtown then turned in a below par second half performance that saw the Dragons prevail by 18-10.
The Jets had beaten the Dragons three weeks ago at Southern Cross Group Stadium, but on Saturday the Red Vee boys took full advantage of their second half dominance of possession and field position.
Newtown looked impressive in the first 30 minutes and led 10-0 through tries to centre Aaron Gray and halfback Kyle Flanagan. The pendulum swung when the Dragons scored in the 33rd minute from a cross-field kick into the south-west corner, and then added another try in contentious circumstances right on halftime.
St George Illawarra had more than 60 per cent of possession in the second half and the Jets displayed very little guile with what ball they had.
The Dragons added two more tries, one from another well-judged kick into the north-east corner and the final try coming from a long-distance effort after the Jets defenders thought the referee was about to stop play. The unseasonably warm conditions also added to the Jets’ difficulties in the second 40 minutes.
Newtown’s best players were hooker Blayke Brailey in the forwards and Aaron Gray, Kyle Flanagan and Edrick Lee in the backs.
The Jets travel to the Lower Hunter next Saturday, 14th April, when they will play the Newcastle Knights at the Cessnock Sports Complex at 3.00pm.
Match details:
St George Illawarra 18
Zac Lomax 3, Jai Field tries; Darren Nicholls 1 goal
defeated
Newtown 10
Aaron Gray, Kyle Flanagan tries; Kyle Flanagan goal.
Half-Time: Newtown led 10-8.
Newtown’s team:
Will Kennedy, Edrick Lee, Aaron Gray, Reubenn Rennie, Bessie Aufaga-Toomaga, Jack A Williams, Kyle Flanagan, Braden Uele, Blayke Brailey, Kurt Dillon, Scott Sorensen, Anthony Moraitis, Jack Williams. Interchange: Wes Lolo, Billy Magoulias, Daniel Vasquez, Briton Nikora. Coach: Greg Matterson.
St George Illawarra:
Jai Field, Zac Lomax, Patrick Herbert, Reuben Garrick, Jordan Pereira, Adam Clune, Darren Nicholls, Hame Sele, Reece Robson, Josh Kerr, Jacob Host, Luciano Leilua, Blake Lawrie. Interchange: Joe Lovodua, James Hasson, Jackson Ford, Mitchell Allgood. Coach: Mat Head.
