Injury-Stricken Sydney Airport Jets
Mauled by Cougars.

The Sydney Airport Jets form slump continued when they lost out to the Penrith-St.Marys Cougars by 42-10, in the VB Premier League match played at Henson Park last Saturday. Newtown?s lengthy injury toll of front-line players is obviously biting hard, even though the Jets continue to cling precariously to eighth place on the VB Premier League table. Fullback Andrew Le Breton is the latest quality player to join the casualty list, and second rower Tom Gemmell has a delayed appointment with the NSWRL Judiciary this evening.

Ben Cook was Newtown?s outstanding player on Saturday, turning in a great defensive effort plus doing all he could to spark the Jets attack. Back rower Bill Najjarin showed glimpses of his renowned ball-running ability, but is obviously still hampered by injury. Newtown was still in this match trailing 12-4 late in the first half, but tries immediately before and after halftime locked this result up for the Cougars.

The Sydney Airport Jets showed genuine grit in hanging on for a narrow 22-20 win over Erina in the Jim Beam Cup curtain-raiser. Newtown had run up a 20-6 lead at half-time, with Chan Ly, Hamilton Hughes and Callan Myles leading the way for the Jets. Erina had all the ball and field position in the second half, plus some assistance from several bizarre refereeing decisions. Newtown?s forward pack deserves a big wrap for the way they really dug deep in the second half.

The Parkes Spacemen also have their share of injury troubles, but still took the second placed Wellington Cowboys all the way before losing this Group 11 clash 32-24.

Newtown?s winning Jim Beam Cup combination are at home to Wentworthville this Saturday (July 10) at Henson Park, with the match timed to start at 3.00pm. In the VB Premier League, the Sydney Airport Jets visit the Sydney Showground on Sunday (July 11) when they take on the Bulldogs at 1.10pm. This match is of course the main curtain-raiser to the Bulldogs-Storm NRL match.