After they wasted a dominant first half by letting in the two soft tries early in the second, the Newtown Jets have powered their way to a convincing victory in their round four match on Sunday.
Playing the St George Illawarra Dragons at Oki Jubilee Stadium, the Jets rallied in the last 30 minutes of the match, Daniel Atkinson and Tom Hazelton both scoring twice in a 30-16 win.
After falling behind 4-0 early, the Jets responded with two tries in quick succession, the first to Hazelton who crashed through the line and ran 40 metres to score, the second to young winger Tom Rodwell and with one successful conversions and a penalty goal, would take a 12-4 lead to the break.
The two early second half four pointers to the Dragons saw them race to a four point advantage at 16-12, however a sin-binning and a resurgent Newtown side proved hard to contain from that point onwards.
After a long range line break Atkinson would score his first, Hazelton barged over soon after for his second, then it was Atkinson on the scoresheet again in securing the result for the Jets.
For the Jets Atkinson was dangerous throughout, half back Niwhai Puru controlled the game well with a clever display of kicking, with Connor Tracey at fullback safe under the high ball and in defence while enterprising in attack.
In the absence of Kayal Iro who was a late withdrawal, Sam Stonestreet filled in capably in the centres and in the forwards Hazelton ran rampant in a performance that might attract the attention of Sharks NRL coach Craig Fitzgibbon.
The Jets maintained their position towards the top of the Knock On Effect NSW Cup ladder with the win and now move onto a game against the Bulldogs next weekend.
KOE NSW CUP
JETS 30
Daniel Atkinson 2, Tom Hazelton 2, Tom Rodwell tries, Niwhai Puru 5 goals
beat
DRAGONS 16
