Jets salvage a competition point
against the Eels

The Sydney Airport Jets came away with a 30-all draw against Parramatta in their VB Premier League match played at Parramatta Stadium on Saturday evening. Newtown's first half performance was the best of the season, showing discipline and ball control to go in at the break leading by 20-6.

In a game that was ultimately decided by which side dominated possession and field position, the Eels stormed home and scored a try in the final forty seconds of play to draw level, only for their highly proficient goal-kicker to miss the relatively easy conversion attempt. While salvaging one competition point might seem a poor reward to the Jets after dominating much of the game, the flow of this match proved just how valuable possession, territory and not conceding penalties are in modern Rugby League.

Newtown front-rower James Stosic was outstanding, and he must have caught the attention of NSW Residents representative selectors by now. Craig Field was again instrumental in keeping Newtown in this game, and he received good support in the backs from Andrew Le Breton, Ben Cook and Alf Duncan. Hooker Wade L'Estrange made a marvellous debut, scoring two tries against his former club. Back rowers Phil Leuluai, Bill Najjarin, Tommy Gemmell and former Rooster Nelson Lomi also played strongly.

Newtown turned in a mediocre performance against Erina in their Jim Beam Cup clash and suffered the consequences, going down by 46-18. Jets second rower George Ghazal made an impressive debut, and winger John Sinisa's two-try effort was in keeping with his dynamic form of the latter part of last season.

Jets forwards David Vial and Callan Myles both played well while on duty for Newtown's partnership club Parkes in Group Eleven, as the Spacemen took the undefeated Wellington Cowboys all the way before going down narrowly by 30-26. The Sydney Airport Jets take on fellow 1908 Foundation Club North Sydney in the VB Premier League at Henson Park this Saturday (May 8th), with this second leg of the 2004 Frank Hyde Cup series kicking off at 3.00pm. The Jets play away again in the Jim Beam Cup, when they meet Ryde-Eastwood at Leichhardt Oval also on Saturday, with this match starting at 2.30pm.