Roosters dish out a harsh lesson to
the Jets

The Sydney Roosters VB Premier League team showed their premiership-winning credentials at Aussie Stadium on Saturday evening, when they trounced the Sydney Airport Jets by 42-6. Newtown has made a habit of stirring second half comebacks in recent weeks, but there was rarely a glimmer of hope in this match, with the Roosters well in command from start to finish.

Newtown trailed 18-0 at the break, but boosted their supporters? hopes with a converted try soon after half-time. The Roosters quickly regained their ascendancy, scoring a further 4 converted tries and conceding only one error in the entire second half. It was a relentless, powerful and disciplined display to which the Jets had no answer on the night.

Jets front-rower David Thompson was one of Newtown?s best forwards, but he took a terrible battering from the huge Roosters pack. James Stosic had a good first half, and Tommy Gemmell worked hard in defence. In the backs, Nathan Merritt and Ryan McGoldrick did their best in a well-beaten side.

In the Jim Beam Cup game played at Henson Park, the Sydney Airport Jets dropped two precious competition points in losing 26-22 to lowly Asquith. Newtown had led 16-4 in the first half, and as a result of this shock loss the Jets have now dropped out of the top five. Tough back-rower Rimini Reweti (pictured) was Newtown?s standout performer on a day when team discipline and execution were sadly lacking.

In the Group 11 elimination semi-final played at Pioneer Oval, the Parkes Spacemen staged a thrilling fightback to defeat Dubbo Macquarie by 28-26, after having trailed by 16-0 at half-time. Parkes will now play Dubbo CYMS in the minor semi-final next Sunday at a venue to be announced.

The Newtown Jets are back at Henson Park in both grades next Saturday (August 20). These are must-win games for both teams following the disappointing performances of this past weekend. In the Jim Beam Cup match, Newtown plays Woy Woy at 1.15pm, and in the VB Premier League fixture, fourth-placed Newtown is at home to fifth-placed Manly-Warringah at 3.00pm.

(Photo courtesy of Gary Sutherland Photography).