A Newtown Jets team inconvenienced by the injury issues facing the Sharks NRL squad, put up a brave effort in going down to the Wests Magpies at Lidcombe Oval on Sunday.
Already forced to blood a number of youngsters over the opening six rounds of the season, the Jets depth was tested even further when Aaron Gray, Kyle Flanagan and Sione Katoa were late withdrawals, however it took their opponents until the final few minutes to put them away as the Magpies went on to record a 32-22 victory.
The match began with the Newtown side on the back foot, three early Wests tries seeing them fall behind 16-0 after the opening 12 minutes and it seemed a long afternoon was on the cards for the Jets.
To their credit the Jets battled back, James Segeyaro putting Tieg Wilton through a gap for Matt Evans to score, before Evans did it all himself with a 60-metre solo effort and with the score 16-12 at the break Newtown went to half time with plenty of confidence.
A long range try straight in the opening moments of the second period, when Jackson Ferris broke through and put Isaac Lumelume away on a 50-metre run to the line, gave the Jets their first lead of the game and when Braydon Trindall added the extras the Jets had an unlikely lead.
Wests went back in front after catching the Newtown right side defence napping with a smart short side play, with the Magpies now up 20-18.
Again, the Jets responded, this time Lumelume was the provider and Ferris the scorer, the young centre showing good strength to crash over after some clever lead-up work from his winger.
Trindall couldn’t convert from the wide angle but the Jets had grabbed the lead once more at 22-20 with under 20 minutes of the match remaining.
Unfortunately, the young Jets outfit couldn’t hold on, a couple of defensive lapses leading to tries and the Magpies had escaped with a 32-22 win, the final score line not an accurate reflection of the closeness of the contest.
The Jets return home in round eight when they play the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Henson Park on Saturday. Kick off will be at 3.00pm.
JETS 22
Matt Evans 2, Jackson Ferris, Isaac Lumelume tries, Braydon Trindall 3 goals
lost to
WESTS MAGPIES 32
Click on the following link to see all the match highlights, courtesy of NSWRL.com.au - CLICK HERE
