Newtown Jets have secured third position on the Intrust Super Premiership ladder with an impressive 32-12 victory over the Wests Magpies.
The Jets built up a handy half time advantage, before going on with the job in the second period, the victory giving them the all-important double shot in the upcoming competition finals.
The win was also achieved without the services of regular halfback Kyle Flanagan, with the Newtown and Sharks number seven tipped to make his top grade debut in the NRL game against the Newcastle Knights tomorrow.
In a scrappy first half the Jets were on the board early and it came through an acrobatic finish from Sione Katoa, the exciting young winger diving over and planting the ball down inches from the touch-in-goal line.
Jesse Marsche, taking over the kicking duties from Flanagan, was wide with his conversion attempt and it was 4-0 Jets.
After again exploiting the advantage down their right hand side the Jets were rewarded once more, this time it was Aaron Gray going over, touching down in almost the same spot as where Katoa had scored earlier.
The kick at goal was again waved away but it was 8-0 Jets, a score that would remain unchanged to the half time break.
The Newtown side keep their foot on the accelerator early in the second period and after defending their line it was a piece of individual brilliance which broke the game open.
Sensing an opportunity the Jet spun the ball wide close to the their own goal line and fullback Will Kennedy set sail down the touch line. Kennedy stepped the fullback, brushed away from the cover and would complete a 90-metres run for the Jets third try of the match.
The simple conversion was successful and the Newtown side had some breathing room at 14-0.
They would push that lead out to 20 when Ruebenn Rennie scored after some feeble Magpie defence, the try converted by Marsche, before Wests managed to post their first points, fullback Dylan Smith scoring from close range.
However snuffing out any potential comeback, Jack Williams strolled over with a clever show and go, Marsche adding the extras to make it 26-6, then Wes Lolo backed up a Katoa break to confirm the result at 32-6.
The Magpies made it 32-12 with a barge-over try from dummy half with five minutes left on the clock but it was all the Jets who in confirming third place on the ladder have set up a week one finals match with the St George Illawarra Dragons.
JETS 32
Wes Lolo, Sione Katoa, Aaron Gray, Jack Williams, Aaron Gray, Ruebenn Rennie tries, Jesse Marsche 4 goals
Beat
MAGPIES 12
FINALS NEWS
Following the completion of round 24, the draw for the first week of Intrust Super Premiership Finals has been released, with the third-placed Jets to take on the Dragons on Sunday. See following the full schedule of matches for week one of the ISP Finals.
Saturday (1st September)
Intrust Super Premiership NSW – 1.10pm (CH9) = Penrith v Canterbury
Intrust Super Premiership NSW – 5.15pm = Mounties v NZ Warriors
Sunday (2nd September)
Intrust Super Premiership NSW – 11.45am(Fox) = Wests Magpies v Wyong Roos
Intrust Super Premiership NSW – 1.45pm (Delayed telecast on Fox) = Dragons v Newtown
