Match report courtesy NSWRL.com
Newtown leave it late in an emphatic win over Newcastle
by George Alakiki
NSWRL.com
The Newtown Jets have continued their premiership defence in style with a nail biting last second win over the Newcastle Knights in front of a buzzing home crowd at Henson Park, as halfback Niwhai Puru orchestrated the team to an emphatic 23-22 win.
It was the home team who struck first as prop and Hunter region junior Lachlan Crouch crossed over for his debut try with a simple hit and spin move in just his second game in reserve grade, before Tavita Taumoepenu landed in a similar spot to make it 12-0.
A third Knights error by Logan Aoake almost led to the Jets’ third, but the winger made amends shortly after when he snatched the ball out of the air and ran the length of the field for Newcastle’s first points following a poor long range pass from Puru (12-6).
The late omission of lock Thomas Cant proved a sore spot for the Knights as the Jets terrorised the red and blue through the middle of the park, and a third four pointer came through interchange Brad Fernley (18-6).
Tempers flared as teams both saw players sent to the bin just before the break after repeated altercations between the Jets’ Eli Clarke and Newcastle’s Riley Jones, with Clark and the Jets’ claiming eye gouging by Jones.
But it was the Novocastrians who struck early in the second half with two tries in quick succession to bring the margin to within two points.
A cutout from five-eighth Will Price exposed the right side defence to give Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana his first of the season, before a scramble on the Jets goal line from right to left saw a last ditch kick batted back to Jacob Davies (18-16).
The Jets were barely able to make it out of their half as the Knights continued to pile on the pressure, and they took the lead for the first time with one from the Jets first-half playbook in the form of a short ball to Jack Welsh (22-18).
The Jets finally found the leveller in winger Kristian Dixon’s corner but Puru’s scuffed goal kick set up a grandstand finish with just over three minutes left on the clock.
A last ditch attempt by Knights hooker Matthew Arthur to land a 40/20 ended horribly with the ball out on the full, giving Newtown a fresh set right on the knights 30m line in the final seconds.
With the game on the line, the ball landed to star half Puru, who iced the one pointer on the buzzer to clinch a memorable game for the Jets at the death.
Talking points
The Knights continue to prove they are their own worst enemy in regards to their completion rates in the first 40. The errors piling up not not only led to points for the Jets but diffused their own good chances of putting four-pointers on the board on multiple occasions.
Newtown hooker Jayden Berrell flew under the radar but was lethal as he exposed the Knights middle with two short balls for the Jets’ first set of points.
The Jets got the job done without star fullback Liam Ison and captain Billy Burns, proving they have the depth, grit and determination early in the year to be serious contenders for a second straight premiership.
Key moment
Niwhai Puru was ice cool when it mattered most, single handedly clinching the two points for his team with a calm drop kick over the black dot, sending the Newtown faithful in a roar almost louder than the ensuing final siren.
What’s next
The Jets will look to make it three from three to start the season when they take on the Rabbitohs at Sharks Stadium next Saturday, while the Knights will head back for their first home game at Lakeside Sporting Complex to face the Panthers.
