By Jason Hosken (NSWRL.com.au)
The Newtown Jets have rounded out a seventh straight win after accounting for the Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles 50-8 to maintain their top place on the NSWRL Knock-On-Effect NSW Cup ladder.
Coming off a bye last weekend, the Jets lit up 4 Pines Park with three tries in the opening 15 minutes to lead 16-0.
Winger Mawene Hiroti was first to score before the two powerhouse front-rowers Thomas Hazelton and Jesse Colquhoun each powered over within the space of four minutes.
With an even share of possession Blacktown’s left edge began to look dangerous, but the Workers’ big men were unable to back it up through the middle.
This left scheming Jets hooker Jayden Berrell to his own devices and a trademark inside ball saw Franklin Pele crash over for Newtown’s fourth try.
Another try, this time to Jets halfback Ryan Rivett, extended their advantage to 28-0.
From there the points kept flowing. Four minutes after the halftime break will-o'-the-wisp five-eighth Luke Metcalf showed a clean pair of heels crossing for his 14th try of the season, before fullback Kayal Iro grabbed one of his own six minutes later.
The powerfully-built Pele then bagged a double with a long distance sprint. Blacktown Workers finally registered a try in the 70th minute through Bailey King, when the winger finished a right shift in the scoreboard corner.
Blacktown Workers quickly doubled their tally when fullback Jake Toby evaded several defenders on the way to a determined try, before second-rower Charbel Tasipale brought up Newtown’s half century with a try right on full time.
Jets winger and goal-kicker Mawene Hiroti finished the match with a personal haul of a try and seven conversions.
Next week in a possible finals preview, Newtown finishes the regular season against third-placed Canterbury-Bankstown at Henson Park on the Jets’ annual reunion day.
Today’s win takes Newtown one step closer to the minor premiership, but with the second-placed Panthers just two points behind and with a bye next week, the Jets need a final round win over the Canterbury Bulldogs to overcome Penrith’s superior points differential to maintain the top spot.
Newtown 50
Franklin Pele 2, Mawene Hiroti, Tommy Hazelton, Jesse Colquhoun, Ryan Rivett, Luke Metcalf, Kayal Iro, Charbel Tasipale tries;
Mawene Hiroti 7 conversions
defeated
Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles 8
Bailey King, Jake Toby tries.
Half-Time: Newtown led 28-0.
Newtown’s team:
Kayal Iro, Mawene Hiroti, Addison Demetriou, Reubenn Rennie, Jensen Taumoepeau, Luke Metcalf, Ryan Rivett, Billy Margoulias, Kayne Kalache, Charbel Tasipale, Tommy Hazelton, Jayden Berrell (Captain), Jesse Colquhoun.
Interchange: Rhys Davies, Kurt Dillon, Caleb Uele, Franklin Pele.
18th man: Tyla Tamou.
Coach: Greg Matterson.
Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles:
Jake Toby, Lorenzo Mulitalo, Steven Taupo Sako, Bilal Maarbani, Bailey King, Adam Fearnley, Ben Stevanovic, Luke Hodge, Ponepate Pongia, Kenny Soumpholphakdy, Loeti Mafi, James Segeyaro, Bruce Ward.
Interchange: Jordan Main, Lewis Afeaki, Adam Rizk, Tyran Ott.
18th man: Masi Paulo Fidow.
Coach: Nathan Hogan.
Match Timeline:
5th minute: Mawene Hiroti try, not converted. Newtown 4-0.
10th minute: Tommy Hazelton try; Mawene Hiroti conversion. Newtown 10-0.
15th minute: Jesse Colquhoun try; Mawene Hiroti conversion. Newtown 16-0.
28th minute: Franklin Pele try; Mawene Hiroti conversion. Newtown 22-0.
31st minute: Ryan Rivett try; Mawene Hiroti conversion. Newtown 28-0.
Half-Time: Newtown led 28-0.
44th minute: Luke Metcalf try, not converted. Newtown 32-0.
50th minute: Kayal Iro try; Mawene Hiroti conversion. Newtown 38-0.
62nd minute: Franklin Pele try; Mawene Hiroti conversion. Newtown 44-0.
71st minute: Bailey King try, not converted. Newtown 44-4.
74th minute: Jake Toby try, not converted. Newtown 44-8.
79th minute: Charbel Tasipale try; Mawene Hiroti conversion. Newtown 50-8.
Full-Time: Newtown 50 defeated Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles 8.
Newtown’s next game:
NSWRL Knock-On Effect NSW Cup – 24th Round
Saturday, 27th August 2022
Henson Park
Newtown v Canterbury-Bankstown
Kick-Off: 3.00pm.
Next Saturday at Henson Park is the Newtown Jets Annual Reunion Day.
