Auckland Claims the Spoils over gallant Jets

The Newtown Jets VB Premier League team showed plenty of courage and endeavour in the match against the Auckland Lions at Henson Park on Saturday afternoon, but the Lions out-finessed the Jets to win a tough, gruelling game by 19-16. The Aucklanders had led by 8-6 at halftime and although they never opened up a big lead at any stage, they always seemed to have a slight edge in skill and plenty of territorial advantage over the Jets.

The Lions did most of the attacking in the first half and had looked more capable when in possession. Newtown defended strongly in their own quarter for extended periods and scored their only first-half try when centre Troy Savage snapped up a loose pass and sprinted 80 metres to score two minutes before halftime.

Auckland scored early in the second half but Newtown was back in the game when halfback Rory Kostjasyn dummied and drove hard through the Lions