By Newtown Jets Media
The Newtown Jets pulled off a major upset in defeating the Intrust Super Premiership competition leaders Mounties 34-20 at Hinchinbrook on Saturday afternoon.
The Jets went into this 10th round fixture as decided underdogs, but turned on an outstanding first half performance in establishing a 24-6 halftime lead.
There were several late team changes to the Newtown Jets line-up for Saturday. Winger and NSW under 20's representative Isaac Lumelume came into the team to make his debut along with powerhouse wingman Charlton Schaafhausen from the Glebe-Burwood club.
Lachlan Stein was a late withdrawal due to a hamstring injury and the experienced Trent Hodkinson was also unavailable to play. Jack A. Williams moved up from the interchange bench to partner Kyle Flanagan in the halves. Popular front-rower Malakai Houma was making his return to the Newtown Jets ranks after suffering a very bad leg injury in the 2nd round of the 2017 ISP NSW competition. Skillful second-rower Ryan King came into the second-row.
The Mounties team, noted for their physicality and with plenty of NRL experience in their ranks, fought back in the second half but never really threatened Newtown's lead. The Jets played a clever brand of football, and they caused no end of trouble in the first half with their quick passing game and by creating repeated breaks through Mounties edge defense.
Coach Greg Matterson laid down a challenge to his players prior to the game that Newtown's place on the competition table belied their genuine ability. Despite several late team changes, Matterson was confident that his players had the speed and the right tactics to outsmart the competition front-runners.
Newtown's tries were all scored through the backs with two each to fullback Will Kennedy and winger Matt Evans, one each to centres Reubenn Rennie and Bessie Aufaga-Toomaga, plus one to halfback Kyle Flanagan.
Wes Lolo, Blayke Brailey and Anthony Moraitis were the best of a Newtown forward pack that really took the contest up to their bigger opponents. This was Newtown's first win against the Canberra Raiders partnership club since July 2014 and also Newtown's first win at the Aubrey Keech Reserve.
The Newtown Jets are back at home at Henson Park next Saturday, 19th May, when they meet Wyong at 3.00pm.
Newtown 34
Matt Evans 2, Will Kennedy 2, Kyle Flanagan, Bessie Aufaga-Toomaga, Reubenn Rennie tries;
Kyle Flanagan 3 goals
defeated
Mounties 20
Michael Oldfield, Craig Garvey, Royce Hunt, Brad Abbey tries; Sitiveni Moceidreke 2 goals.
Halftime: Newtown led 24-6.
Newtown's team was:
Will Kennedy, Matt Evans, Bessie Aufaga-Toomaga, Reubenn Rennie, Isaac Lumelume, Jack A. Williams, Kyle Flanagan, Jimmy Jolliffe, Blayke Brailey, Wes Lolo, Ryan King, Anthony Moraitis, Daniel Vasquez. Interchange: Addison Demetriou, Billy Magoulias, Malakai Houma, Charlton Schaafhausen. Coach: Greg Matterson.
Mounties team
Henry Raiwalui, Mikaele Ravalawa, Michael Oldfield, Edward Murphy, Sitiveni Moceidreke, Bradley Abbey, Sam Williams, Royce Hunt, Craig Garvey, Makahesi Makatoa, Jarrad Kennedy, Jack Murchie, Liam Knight.Interchange: Emre Guler, Sam Duggan, Mitchell Cahalane, Fabien Paletua-Kiri. Coach: Ryan Carr.
Match highlights courtesy of the NSWRL: https://www.nswrl.com.au/news/2018/05/12/jets-reverse-history-to-overcome-mounties/
Newtown's next game details:
NSWRL Intrust Super Premiership NSW – 11th Round
MAGIC ROUND of matches:
Saturday, 19th May 2018
Henson Park
Newtown v Wyong
Kick-Off: 3.00pm.
ISP NSW Curtain-Raisers:
11.00am: Mounties v Wentworthville
1.00pm: St George-Illawarra v New Zealand Warriors (Channel Nine match)
