Round 7
St.George-Illawarra Dragons 24 drew Newtown Jets 24

2006 VB NSWRL Premier League Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats]

Location: Australia > New South Wales > State/Metropolitan Level Competition: VB NSWRL Premier League

Jets and Dragons share the spoils
Tue April 25, 2006
Source: Newtown Jets

The Newtown Jets drew 24-all with St George Illawarra in the VB Premier League match played at the WIN Stadium, Wollongong on Friday night. The Dragons had led 12-6 at half-time, taking the lead with a converted try in the last thirty seconds of what had been an evenly-contested first half.

Newtown made several late changes to the nominated line-up and allowing for the enforced changes in personnel, turned in one of the team's better performances this season. The Jets scored two converted tries in rapid succession after half-time to lead by 18-12, with the two sides trading further tries midway through the second half. The Dragons ran down Newtown's 24-16 lead in the last ten minutes of the match on the back of a string of penalties, dominance of possession and accurately placed kicks for the corner.

This was a high speed and absorbing match, and while it was disappointing to come away with only one competition point, the Jets could take some satisfaction from their improved defensive effort and the solid contribution from their forward pack. Newtown was best served in the forwards by front-rower Glenn Hall and second rowers Danny Williams and Daniel Dumas. Hall repeatedly carted the ball up with admirable ferocity, Williams consolidated his reputation as an outstanding backrow prospect, while Dumas was in the thick of wherever and whenever hard graft was required. Fullback Aidan Kirk had a busy night and maintained the high standards he has set for himself this season, and five-eighth Josh Lewis is proving to be as reliable and accurate a goal-kicker as any in the history of the Newtown club.

There was no Jim Beam Cup fixture this weekend as Newtown had the competition bye. In Group 11 action, Newtown's associate club the Parkes Spacemen ran into heavy going out at Nyngan, where they received a 42-26 mauling from the in-form Tigers.

Both of Newtown's teams are playing away this coming weekend. In the VB Premier League, the Jets travel to Campbelltown Stadium on Friday evening (April 28th) to play Western Suburbs, with this match kicking off at 7.30pm. The Jets travel to The Entrance on Saturday afternoon (April 29th) with this Jim Beam Cup game at the EDSACC Oval due to start at 2.30pm.

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