Jets new recruit delivers the goods

It was a win/win outcome for both Todd Carney and the Newtown Jets at Brookvale Oval on Saturday. Carney's hit-out with the Roosters' NSW Cup partnership club would have assisted him in his quest to regain top form, while the Jets settled for the competition points with their 38-26 win against Manly-Warringah. The Jets led 28-10 at halftime and increased this lead to 38-10 fifteen minutes into the second half. From that point onwards they slackened their intensity and Manly pulled back with three tries in the space of about eight minutes.

Todd Carney certainly made his presence felt on the field, scoring one try, setting up two and laying the groundwork for what should have been a further three tries. Sydney Roosters head coach Brian Smith was on hand to monitor Carney's performance, and club chairman Nick Politis and Roosters players Mitch Pearce and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves were also in attendance. There was bad news for the Jets in that fullback/centre Rhys Pritchard , who played so capably for the Roosters in Melbourne on the previous Monday night, suffered a serious shoulder injury. Livewire hooker Scott Jones strained a hamstring and will be in doubt for next weekend.

Newtown's coaching staff were pleased with the Jets' first half performance, with Carney providing the attacking spark that gave Newtown a commanding halftime lead. The Jets application in defence fell away midway through the second half and the Sea Eagles made sure of three try-scoring opportunities in quick time. While two of these tries came on the end of fortunate bounces, Jets head coach Greg Matterson said that there would be plenty of attention given to rectifying these defensive lapses.

The Jets' best forwards were lock Ahmad Ellaz, hooker Kurt Kara, front-rower and team captain Khalid Deeb and back-rower Brad Takairangi. The best in the backline other than Todd Carney were centres Willie Mataka and Francis Vaiotu. Carney received a big round of acclamation from his team-mates in the dressing rooms at fulltime as the Jets head into the latter third of the competition rounds.

The Newtown Jets return to Henson Park next Saturday (25th June) when they meet old rivals the Western Suburbs Magpies in the 16th round of the NSW Cup. This match kicks off at 3.00pm, and will be preceded by an all-Beach Boys NSW Cup curtain-raiser when Cronulla-Sutherland clashes with Manly-Warringah at 1.00pm.

NSWRL NSW Cup - 15th Round
Saturday, 18th June 2011
Brookvale Oval
Manly-Warringah v Newtown
Kick-Off: 3.00pm.

Newtown 38:
Byron Ford, Kurt Kara, Todd Carney, Mark Kheirallah, Willie Mataka, Johnathon Ford, Brad Takairangi tries;
Blake Lazarus 5 goals
defeated
Manly-Warringah 26:
Ben Shorter, Blake Davey, Michael Oldfield, Liam Higgins, Daniel Harrison tries;
Sione Ala 2, Scott Blanch goals.

Half-Time: Newtown led 28-10.

Referee: Jon Stone
Touch Judges: Matt Hawkins, Peter Sciberras

Weather: Fine and cold
Playing surface: Excellent

This match was played at Brookvale Oval.

Newtown's team was:

26 - Todd Carney
2 - Byron Ford, 5 - Francis Vaiotu
3 - Willie Mataka, 4 - Rhys Pritchard
6 - Johnathon Ford, 7 - Blake Lazarus
13 - Ahmad Ellaz
11 - Brad Takairangi, 12 - Brad Barrett
8 - Francis Tuigamala, 10 - Khalid Deeb
9 - Kurt Kara.
Bench:
1 - Mark Kheirallah
15 - Brett Lane
17 - Ryan Verlinden
18 - Scott Jones
21 - James Koloamatangi.