Balmain Ryde Eastwood vs Newtown
Match Report

The Go Sport & IGT Balmain Ryde-Eastwood Tigers have lost the Pringle-Ryan Shield following a tough 34-26 defeat by Newtown at Henson Park on Saturday.

Centre Matthew Rieck opened the scoring out wide after halfback Jamie Nowland put up a bomb on the last tackle and Rieck was perfectly positioned for the bat-back to have an open passage to the tryline. Nowland converted and they led 6-0.

A few minutes later lock Luke Branighan crashed over near the right hand post after getting upfield with the assistance of piggybacking penalties. Nowland's conversion took them out to 12-0.

With 10 minutes remaining in the half the Jets scored out wide after being pulled up short of the line and then barging over from an ensuing penalty. They converted and closed it up to 12-6.

Shortly before half time five eighth Dave Marando crossed out wide cleaning up a grubber kick put through from 10m out by hooker Rangi Chase. Nowland missed the conversion and the score was back to 16-6.

On the stroke of half time Rieck crossed for his second of the day out wide after Newtown spilled a bomb which Branighan regathered then found Rieck unmarked on the outside and he put in a superb effort to cross in traffic. Nowland's successful conversion took them into the main break leading 22-6.

The Jets needed a quick start to the second half and did just that, getting on top of a sluggish Tigers' outfit to score 3 tries in 16 minutes and levelling the match at 22-all.

Centre Ronald Prince quickly replied, crossing out wide after initially stealing the ball 15m out from the Jets' line then using his pace to slide over through a small gap in the line. Nowland couldn't convert and they were back in front 26-22.

Newtown replied a few minutes later using an overlap off a repeat set of 6 and converted to regain the lead 28-26.

The Jets then crossed under the posts after a huge gap opened up down the middle and they extended their lead to 34-26.

With little time left on the clock the match was now out of the Tigers' grasp and at full time the Jets had won the game 34-26

It was a more committed and desperate Jets side that came back in the second half and out-enthused the Tigers' defence. The loss makes the next few matches all the more important if the Tigers are going to continue playing beyond September, especially considering who they are facing. Best performances were turned in by halfback Jamie Nowland, centre Matthew Rieck and forwards Jeff Lima and Stacey Katu.

This weekend both teams play on Saturday, but at different venues. Jersey Flegg travel north to Mingara Recreation Ground at Wyong to face the winless Central Coast RIP at 3pm, while Premier League return to Leichhardt Oval at 2pm to give traditional rivals the Parramatta Eels something to think about as they keep their semi finals hopes alive. Hope you can make it to one of these games to give the players lots of support as they strive towards victory. See you there!!