Sydney Airport Jets prove they have
the right stuff

The 2004 Sydney Airport Jets VB Premier League team certainly have a fixation with the figures 18 and 16. In the past five weeks they have lost twice to South Sydney by that exact scoreline, and at Henson Park on Saturday they hung on grimly for the last twenty minutes to upset last year's premiers, the Canberra Raiders, by those very same figures - 18-16.

This was a win that showed great courage and toughness. Newtown's 'no-nonsense" pack grows in stature each week, and on Saturday they really took it up to the Raiders. Their defence was outstanding, particularly in that nerve-wracking final twenty minutes. This was also a win achieved at considerable cost - both Craig Field and Troy Barnes are on the injury list, and hooker Wade L'Estrange and second-rower Nelson Lomi (who would be a perfect casting in any local remake of "Reservoir Dogs") are on report from a game where no prisoners were taken.

Canberra coach Wayne Collins said after the game that the Raiders might have the advantage of being able to train at the high-tech Australian Institute of Sport complex, but nothing can prepare a team for the brutal pounding dished out by Newtown's forwards on Saturday. Front-rowers James Stosic and Dan Manousso continued their outstanding form, while Samoan international Phillip Leuluai had his best match since joining the Jets. Backrowers Nelson Lomi, Clifford Manua and Tommy Gemmell also played strongly, and hooker Wade L'Estrange was creative from dummy-half.

Half-back David Hall is playing with more confidence each week and was a key player in this win. Andrew Le Breton was again solid at full-back, and wingers Sioeli Helu and Ben Cook constantly looked to get involved. Craig Field's front-on defence at critical moments was inspirational.

Newtown's Jim Beam Cup team lost narrowly away to Cabramatta by 30-28. Callan Myles continued his excellent recent form with three tries, and was well supported in the forwards by Peter Howie and Narrandera product Laurie Bamblett. Hamilton Hughes kicked four goals, and deserves congratulations on his recent selection in the Fijian Rugby League national training squad. Our fraternal club in Group 11, the Parkes Spacemen, grabbed an important victory with a last minute 32-30 win over Dubbo Macquarie. Newtown's Dane Scott was on duty with the Spacemen in this match, which puts the Parkes boys into the five.

Both Sydney Airport Jets teams are away this coming weekend. On Saturday (May 29), the VB Premier League team travels to the Energy Australia Stadium, where they take on the Newcastle Knights at 5.30pm. The Jim Beam Cup team meets Windsor also on Saturday at the Windsor Sports Complex, with this match kicking off at 6.00pm.