You have skipped the navigation, tab for page content

The Newtown Jets have run in 16 unanswered points in the final 20 minutes against the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles to secure a come from behind victory at Leichhardt Oval.

In a game that saw momentum shift numerous times throughout the match, the Jets were eventually too strong for the Sea Eagles after an early double to Mitch Brown and a few clutch plays by Dallas Wells.

The Jets completely dominated the opening 10 minutes, as they had all of the ball, earned repeat sets, and in doing so, allowed Mitch Brown to score in the corner.

However, momentum changed soon after with the Sea Eagles outfit scoring three tries in eight minutes.

Ben Fritz scored in the corner courtesy of a neat pass from Justin Horo. Kurt Aldridge missed the conversion and the scores were locked at 4-all.

The Sea Eagles then quickly ran in two more tries when Luke Garner scored in the 19th minute, before Jayden Hodges showed his class four minutes later when he powered over from dummy half. Both tries were converted and suddenly it was 16-4 to the Sea Eagles.

Manly looked to be in control, but the Jets would not give up and the momentum changed once again.

Brown scored his second try of the night in the 28th minute after pouncing on a Murphy grubber, and then almost completed his hat trick four minutes later if it wasn’t for some strong defense by the Sea Eagles to hold him up.

But that defensive effort was undone just two minutes later after a try to Nesiasi Mataitonga, who finished off a nice piece of play when Blake Ayshford made a linebreak, passed it to Junior Roqica, who then turned it inside into the eventual try scorer. The try was converted and it was back to 16-all going into half time.

The Sea Eagles began the second half wasting a couple of point scoring opportunities. Firstly by denying a penalty goal in front of the posts to take the lead, and then Jack Littlejohn crossing a minute later for it to be called a double movement.

David Williams however wasted no opportunity to score, taking advantage of a grubber that rebounded into his direction, and he scored after a good pickup. Murphy converted to make it 22-16.

Manaia Rudolph showed good speed and acceleration to further the Sea Eagles lead in the 54th minute. Murphy missed the goal and the men in maroon were looking good at 26-16.

The Sea Eagles were then a victim of yet another momentum swing, with the Jets storming home. They scored 16 unanswered points in the final quarter of the game.

Murphy stepped off his right foot to score a solo try for the Jets in the 61st minute. He made it only a 4-point deficit after the conversion.

A fantastic piece of play by Jacob Gagan put the Jets in front. He made an important linebreak from deep inside the Jets half, passed it to Mataitonga who was tackled. Gagan then picked the ball up from dummy half and scored. Murphy converted to put the Jets in front, 28-26.

With five minutes remaining, Wells scored what was the match winner for the Jets.

The conversion was missed, and they only had a 6-point lead, but that was enough for the Jets to hang on for a 32-36 victory, after Wells forced a crucial dropout in the dying minutes.

The Jets will host the Wentworthville Magpies next week at Henson Park, while the Sea Eagles will attempt to half Mt Pritchard Mounties unbeaten start to the season as Brookvale Oval.

Newtown Jets 32 (M Brown 2, J Gagan, D Wells, N Mataitonga, T Murphy tries; T Murphy 4 goals) def. Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 26 (D Williams, B Fritz, L Garner, J Hodges, M Rudolph tries; K Aldridge 3 goals) 

Acknowledgement of Country

New South Wales Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.

Platinum Partner

Major Partners

View All Partners