Classy Jets overpower gritty Blacktown Workers
by Jason Hosken
NSWRL.com.au
Game Summary
The high flying Newtown Jets were given a fright by Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles before jumping clear 34-16 in Round Seven of The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup at Henson Park.
A try to hulking Jets prop Thomas Hazelton in the second minute quickly erased the pain of last week’s loss, Newtown’s first of the season.
From there the Jets continued to stretch the Sea Eagles’ defence with elusive hooker Jayden Berrell orchestrating several chances. But the points didn’t follow and in the 16th minute against the run of play, Blacktown Workers levelled at 6 all when centre Alfred Smalley crossed from dummy-half.
Berrell was having a day out, and his short ball to Franklin Pele put Newtown back in front when the back-rower powered over, before Blacktown drew level through Luke Hodge who steamed onto a lovely Eiden Ackland ball to cross out wide.
With the halftime scores locked at 12-all, the unfancied Blacktown Workers were on target for just their second win of the season.
When winger Masi Fidow finished an attacking raid that included a fortuitous ricochet off the Jets’ crossbar, at 16-12 with 35 minutes to play, it looked like Blacktown’s day.
Although when Jets playmaker Lachlan Miller skipped right to put Matt Ikuvalu through a hole to bring the score to 16-all, the tide suddenly changed.
In the 62nd minute, replacement centre Addison Demetriou powered over to put Newtown in front 20-16. A Kade Dykes try extended the margin six minutes later before Demetriou’s second ensured the Jets unbeaten run at home extended to three.
Talking points
Berrell and Miller were absent in Newtown’s unexpected loss to the Rabbitohs last week and went about making up for lost time from the get-go.
Berrell, the former Wynnum Manly hooker, frustrated Blacktown with footwork and constantly brought his big men onto the ball, while Miller left no questions as to why he leads the competition in tackle breaks.
Blacktown entered the clash with the worst defence in the competition, but with Smalley doing time in the sin bin before the break, they repelled several attacking raids from the Jets with the game in the balance. After holding Newtown up in the in-goal on three separate occasions in the same set, they were rewarded two minutes later when Hodge scored their second try.
Fidow’s try for Blacktown five minutes after the break was one for the highlights reel. Half-back Dylan White’s last play chip towards the in-goal found the cross-bar and then the oncoming Sea Eagles’ chasers, before a classy long ball saw the winger dive over untouched out wide.
With strapping mobile centre’s the theme of the week, Newtown are blessed with the powerful services of Addison Demetriou. Entering the contest from the bench with the game on the line, his fresh legs and strength proved too much for the tiring Blacktown defence and his two late tries sealed the match.
Key moment
Newtown were already in front 22-16 when Dykes was given the ball with 11 minutes left to play. Having already rescued Newtown from their own end with dazzling foot work on several occasions, the fullback set about putting his signature on the contest.
With a quick step, he sliced through the heart of the Blacktown defence then won the race to the goal line to put the contest beyond doubt.
What’s next?
Newtown’s quest for top spot intensifies next Saturday with a trip to Penrith and a captivating Round Eight clash with the second placed Panthers.
Newtown 34
Addison Demetriou 2, Thomas Hazelton, Franklin Pele, Matt Ikuvalu,
Kade Dykes tries;
Mawene Hiroti 5 goals
defeated
Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles 16
Alfred Smalley, Luke Hodge, Masi Paulo Fidow tries;
Masi Paulo Fidow 2 goals.
Newtown’s team:
Fullback: Kade Dykes
Wingers: Jonaiah Lualua, Matt Ikuvalu
Centres: Kayal Iro, Mawene Hiroti
Five-Eighth: Lachlan Miller
Half-Back: Rhys Davies
Lock: Tyler Slade (c)
Second-Rowers: Jesse Colquhoun, Reuben Rennie
Front-Rowers: Thomas Hazelton, Franklin Pele
Hooker: Jayden Berrell.
Interchange: Addison Demetriou, Vincent Rennie, Jack Martin, Caleb Uele.
Coach: Greg Matterson.
Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles:
Fullback: Jake Toby
Wingers: Masi Paulo Fidow, Raymond Tuaimalo-Vaega
Centres: Alfred Smalley, Jorge Taufua
Five-Eighth: Eiden Ackland
Half-Back: Dylan White
Lock: Adam Fearnley
Second-Rowers: Luke Hodge, Kenny Soumpholphakdy
Front-Rowers: Jacob Sykes, James Roumanos
Hooker: Tyran Ott.
Interchange: Bruce Ward, Joe Tramontana, Jordan Main, Bailey Cantrell.
Coach: Nathan Hogan.
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