By Jets media
The Newtown Jets overcame a combination of very warm playing conditions, an unfamiliar away playing venue and a tough, determined opposing team in defeating Parramatta 28-24, in the second round NSW Cup competition match played at Kellyville Park on Sunday.
This was a valuable win against strong opposition with plenty of NRL playing experience. The two teams were tied up at 12-all at half-time and Newtown had pulled away to a 28-18 lead with just twelve minutes left to play. The Eels narrowed this deficit to 28-24 but Newtown’s defense remained intact to hang on for a four-point victory.
All of Newtown’s forwards played well in what was a hard, physical battle through the middle. Front-rowers Thomas Hazelton and Royce Hunt warranted special mention for their contributions.
Jets fullback and former Australian Rugby 9s representative Lachlan Miller turned on a couple of huge plays that resulted in two long-distance tries for Newtown. Winger Jonaiah Lualua scored twice and impressive centre Kayal Iro claimed one try.
Newtown back-rower Myles Taueli, who had worked exceptionally hard in the pre-season training programme, had the misfortune to suffer a high ankle injury that will probably keep him sidelined for several weeks.
Coach Greg Matterson noted after the game that this group of players has all the makings of being a very good rugby league team, but there is plenty of room for improvement in several aspects of the team’s performance, and plenty of hard work is required to achieve these necessary benchmarks.
There had been a couple of missed scoring opportunities against Parramatta that could have proved costly in other circumstances.
Newtown plays away again in round three of the Knock-On Effect NSW Cup, with the Jets drawn to play St George-Illawarra at the Collegians Sporting Complex, Wollongong on Saturday, 26th March at 1.00pm.
Newtown 28
Jonaiah Lualua 2, Luke Metcalf, Rhys Davies, Kayal Iro tries; Luke Metcalf 4 conversions
defeated
Parramatta 24
Dan Keir, Max Lehmann, Solomona Naiduki, Bryce Cartwright tries; Jordan Rankin 4 conversions.
Newtown’s team was:
Full-back: Lachlan Miller
Wingers: Jonaiah Lualua, Tyla Tamou
Centres: Jensen Taumoepeau, Kayal Iro
Five-Eighth: Luke Metcalf
Half-back: Rhys Davies
Lock: Royce Hunt
Second-rowers: Myles Taueli, Reubenn Rennie
Front-rowers: Thomas Hazelton, Kurt Dillon
Hooker: Tyler Slade.
Interchange: Charbel Tasipale, Zac Woolford, Franklin Pele, Vincent Rennie.
Coach: Greg Matterson.
Parramatta’s team:
Full-back: Jordan Rankin
Wingers: Solomone Naiduki, Max Lehmann
Centres: Hayze Perham, Samuel Loizou
Five-Eighth: Jack A. Williams
Half-back: John Olive
Lock: Ky Rodwell
Second-rowers: Dan Keir, Bryce Cartwright
Front-rowers: Ofahiki Ogden, Wiremu Greig
Hooker: Mitch Rein
Interchange: Brendan Hands, Peter Taateo, Luca Moretti, Keaton Walkington-Meads
Coach: Ryan Carr.
Newtown’s next game details:
NSWRL Knock-On Effect NSW Cup – Third Round
Saturday, 26th March 2022
Collegians Sporting Complex, Wollongong
St George-Illawarra v Newtown
Kick-Off: 1.00pm.
