Soward?s
Virtuoso Performance Sets Up Jet's Win

The Newtown Jets registered good wins in both grades on the weekend, setting the scene for a big crowd at the first home games double-header for the season at Henson Park next Saturday (May 6th).

In the VB Premier League match played at Campbelltown on Friday night, the Jets were too strong for last-placed Western Suburbs, winning this match 42-6 after leading by 22-0 at half-time. The Magpies offered plenty of resistance in the first half, with Newtown asserting their ascendancy in the ten minutes prior to the break.

Jets half-back Jamie Soward turned in the game?s standout performance, with five of Newtown?s nine tries coming directly from his broad repertoire of accurate kicking options. Newtown?s forward pack, spearheaded by Glenn Hall, Danny Williams, Mickey Paea and Lopini Paea took control early in the match and laid the basis for the Jets? nine tries to one victory. Fullback Aidan Kirk and winger Troy Malcolm collected two tries apiece, as did five-eighth Josh Lewis, prior to his leaving the field midway through the second half after being on the receiving end of a dangerous head-high tackle.

In the third round of the Jim Beam Cup competition on Saturday, the Jets completed their Central Coast travelling requirements with an away game to The Entrance and would have reason to be pleased with the quality and character of their 34-18 win. Newtown had led by 16-14 at the break, but things looked ominous when The Entrance grabbed the lead early in the second half. Newtown Director John Lynch reports that superior fitness, physical strength and team spirit saw the Jets surge home for a very useful win. Ritchie Parker, Billy Baleilomaloma, Khalid Deeb and Rimini Reweti were Newtown?s best forwards, with Toufic Nicolas and Anton La Vin giving strong performances in the backline.

The Parkes Spacemen disappointed their Pioneer Oval home crowd when they crashed out badly in the Group 11 first grade match against Dubbo CYMS to the tune of 42-12.

The Newtown Jets return to Henson Park next Saturday (May 6th) for the first competition games double-header for this season. Action gets underway at 12 noon when the Newtown Jetettes face off with the Windsor She-Wolves in the Sydney Women?s Rugby League. The Jets clash with Wentworthville in the Jim Beam Cup at 1.15pm, while in the VB Premier League main game, Newtown take on the Bulldogs at 3.00pm.

[Pic: Newtown winger Troy Malcolm has been a prolific try-scorer for the Jets this season. Photo courtesy of Gary Sutherland Photography.]