NSW Cup: Jets outmuscle Cutters

Reigning premiers Newtown have started the 2013 season in style with a dominant 30-10 victory over the Illawarra Cutters on Saturday.

The Jets completely outmuscled an experienced Cutters pack to secure the inaugural Tom Kirk Cup in front of a parochial crowd at WIN Stadium in Wollongong.

A sixth minute try to Newtown via a show of brute strength from back rower Josh Ailaomai set the theme for the game and the Jets were never headed from that point.

The Jets quickly followed up with a spectacular sixty metre try just three minutes later. A deft pass from Andrew Pearn saw speed machine Usaia O’Sullivan scorch a narrow path down the sideline, staving off all chasers to cross in the corner. A sideline conversion from Chris Taripo had the locals reeling at 12-0.

A Newtown error from the ensuing restart allowed Illawarra an attacking opportunity. The Cutters capitalised with winger Gus Aiga scampering over out wide to score and reduce the deficit to eight points.

A further Newtown error afforded Illawarra more chances. Despite attaining no less than three repeat sets, the Cutters were unable to penetrate the tireless Newtown defensive line.

Newtown coupled their rugged defence with disciplined ball control. The Jets were rewarded for their labour in the 25th minute, when Soulala Houma forced his way over for the visitor’s third try. Houma resembled a battering ram as he ploughed through the Cutters defenders on the back of a Adam Henry pass. Tapiro converted, leaving Newtown in front 18-4.

Illawarra were still managing to create attacking opportunities including being held up over the line.

Back rower James Grehan took matters into his own hands on the stroke of half time. A skilful grubber and regather followed by a flick pass to five eighth John Kennedy was the catalyst for a 39th minute try that kept the Cutters in touch at half time.

If the first half was a frenetic scoring fest, the second half was the opposite, riddled with errors, missed opportunities and poor discipline.

Newtown looked to be a scoring chance early in the half as they led a chase to a grubber to the in-goal. Referee Phil Henderson deemed that Cutters prop Jack De Belin had impeded one of the Jets chasers. The result was a Newtown penalty and Henderson wasted no time in sin-binning the sandy haired Cutters forward for his obvious felony.

With Newtown unable to exploit a twelve man Illawarra, the game developed into an arm wrestle. Neither side appeared able to garner any real momentum and often failed to execute at important times.

It wasn’t until just seventeen minutes from full time that the first points of the second half were scored. On the back of a bullocking charge from Saulala Houma, zippy hooker Nafe Seluini was able to scoot over from dummy half to all but seal the victory for the Jets.

With the frustrations of a trying half of football telling for both teams, tempers reached boiling point with just three minutes to go.

After players exchanged more than just pleasantries, referee Henderson was busy again, this time sin-binning Daniel Vidot (Illawarra) and Ray Moujali (Newtown).

From the resultant penalty, Newtown iced the cake with a second try to Saulala Houma. Chris Tapiro maintained his perfect record with the boot (5/5) to make the final score 30-10.

Newtown impressed in a performance that may serve as an ominous warning to opponents again this season. A superb platform was laid by their giant forward pack.

Saulala Houma was as impressive as anyone while Josh Ailaomai proved a real handful. The go forward provided by the Jets pack allowed the nimble Nafe Seluini to be at his incisive best.

The win would have pleased Newtown coach Greg Matterson and augurs well for the defending premiers who entered the match as underdogs.

The creation of the Tom Kirk Cup was a great gesture by Illawarra Rugby League. Tom Kirk was a prolific goal kicker who won a premiership with Newtown in 1943. Tom’s son Ian was a long serving administrator in the Illawarra and a Steelers life member.