Jellied Eels go down a real treat
Henson Park

The Sydney Airport Jets claimed an impressive scalp in defeating the previously unbeaten Parramatta Premier League team 24-16, in the match played at Henson Park on Saturday. Parramatta led 12-8 at half-time, after an absorbing struggle in which no points were posted until the twenty-eighth minute. In-form Sydney Airport Jets winger Alf Duncan scored a magnificent sixty-metres try seven minutes prior to the break, with an exhilarating surge up the eastern left-hand touchline that demonstrated speed, athleticism, strength and determination as he fended off one blue and gold defender after another. Newtown turned in a tightly disciplined second half performance, notable for a most satisfactory completion rate, resolute defence and an effective kick and chase game. The intensity of the Jets' second stanza effort is reflected in the fact that they were reduced by injury to one man on the bench for much of the second half, but yet their defensive line only cracked with two minutes left to play. Best for the Sydney Airport Jets were David Fa'alogo, Russell Richardson, Alf Duncan, Luke Hession and Trevor Schodel in the backline, while Lee Trasler, crowd favourite Billy Najarrin, Aaron Trinder, Troy Barnes and big Tabua Cakacaka were the standouts in an all-round gutsy forwards performance. There was no shortage of points and tries in the Jim Beam Cup curtain raiser against the Sydney Bulls. Newtown led early in the match, but once again gifted their opponents a huge lead, before staging another late second half rally. The Jets narrowed the deficit to 40-32, but the visitors kicked away for a final winning margin of 52-32. Despite this loss, Newtown's coach Darryl Neville has reason to be pleased with the form of some of the youngsters in his squad, especially impressive ex-Redcliffe five-eighth Craig West, who claimed three smartly taken tries. This coming Sunday (May 18), the Sydney Airport Jets take on the North Sydney Bears at historic North Sydney Oval, at the early starting time of 2.00 pm. This NSW Premier League match is also the second leg of the 2003 Frank Hyde Cup.

Newtown's Jim Beam Cup squad travels to Woy Woy on Sunday, with this game at Woy Woy Oval timed to start at 3.00 pm.