Newtown v Wentworthville, Round 13 Highlights
The Wentworthville Magpies have suffered a hard fought 22-10 defeat to the Newtown Jets at Henson Park on Saturday 8 June in Round 13 of the Canterbury Cup.
A strong performance by Magpies Bevan French along with a double to back rower Salesi Fainga’a wasn’t enough to secure the victory as the Jets secured a victory in front of their boisterous crowd celebrating their inaugural Diversity & Pride Day on Saturday afternoon in style with a rainbow flag painted onto the ground.
French was causing headaches for the Jets defence with his fancy footwork and slick hands early but it was his boot that secured the first points of the afternoon.
He set up Fainga’a’s first try of the afternoon when he faked a passed and grubbered late at the line for the back rower to plant the ball out wide and gain an 4-0 lead after nine minutes.
Despite dominating possession early, the Magpies were only able to post the lone try in the first half with the Jets crossing for three of their own in the final twenty of the first half.
Jets winger Luke Polselli crossed in the 20th minute following a backline movement down their left edge before right centre Ronaldo Mulitalo crossed down the right edge after claiming a bomb close to the line.
Jets Fullback William Kennedy crossed in the 35th minute of the clash after putting his left centre into space before claiming the kick back on the inside to score and give the Jets a 16-4 lead at half time.
The Magpies struck back quickly in the second half when Fainga’a fell on a loose ball following a French cross field chip to score his second of the afternoon and close the gap to a converted try.
An enterprising second half with both teams failing to make the most of the opportunities until just three minutes remaining on the clock.
Jets left centre Matt Evans finishing off a sweeping left edge backline movement to dive over in the corner and secure a hard fought 22-10 victory.
Wentworthville Magpies 10 (Tries: Salesi Fainga’a (2); Goals: Joseph Taipari)
Def by
Newtown Jets 22 (Tries: Luke Polselli, Ronaldo Mulitalo, William Kennedy, Matt Evans; Goals: Braydon Trindall (3))
