In tricky conditions on a damp pitch, the Jets Division 2 team hosted 2nd placed UTS on the weekend, with a win needed to hold onto 4th spot and keep Sydney Uni at bay. The Jets were without Jarod Thomson, Flgoff Ahearn and ruck maestro Paul Webster, but called on reserves defender Matt Brophy and Steve Davidson, recalled after some terrific performances in Div 4.
In a tale of two contrasting halves, the home side challenged UTS early, with John Dowl, mowing down players like a bison through trees, and Paul Sherwood getting first use of the ball out of the middle. In defence, Matt Lloyd held Bats’ spearhead Andrew Thain well, keeping him to only 2 goals, a big difference to his last trip to Bensons, kicking 17 on some poor retired defender, while small runners Owen Butcher and Martin Ingham created their own chances on the wings. UTS led by a goal at the first break, before the Jets found two of their own in the 2nd and held UTS to only 1, to lead the Bats by a mere three points at half time.
With everything to play for, and on their home ground, the Jets needed a massive 2nd half to send a message out to the rest of the competition. However, UTS aren’t in 2nd place for nothing, as they played smarted football to restrict the home side to a terrible 1 behind for the entire 2nd half. The Bats played a loose man in their defensive 50, and the ball went to him every time, as the Jets kicked errantly and failed to play to the plan set by Coach Garrick Bull. The result could’ve been a lot worse if not for the backline work of Sam Makins and Jacq Pascoe in a classy display, but UTS added 5 of their own in a clinical display, to take a 30 point victory back to Trumper Park, UTS 8.6-54 to Nor-West 3.6-24.
Goals- J. James 2, M. Ingham 1.
Best- J. Pascoe, O. Butcher, S. Makins, J. Dowl, P. Sherwood, M. Ingham.
The Seniors face off with Sydney Uni in Round 16 on the unfamiliar surrounds of Mahony Park in Marrickville, in the battle for 4th place.
The reserves knew they had a tough day at the office, meeting the newly resurrected Auburn Tigers. Auburn are undefeated after 15 rounds, and boast Sydney footy legend Salem Kassem at full forward, who has kicked a remarkable 104 goals in just 14 games. With a multitude of players out injured or called up to Seniors, the Jets faced their toughest test yet.
In a tough opening stanza, the Jets managed to keep Auburn to 4 goals 4 behinds, while adding one of their own. Limited numbers meant a short bench, but Nor-West are made of stern stuff, and have vowed to at least shape the finals now that they are out of contention. The 2nd term was much of the same, however the older brigade of Milkins, Chase and Daniel Graham exerted their influence and never took a backward step. Auburn scored 4 more goals to the Jets two, to take a comfortable 36 point lead to the main break.
Hank Scorpio and Aaron Skinner combined well out of defence, and Chris Collins played a lone hand in the middle, as Auburn kept the Jets to 4 goals for the 2nd half, while adding 9 of their own, to run out deserved winners, 14.14-116 to 7.7-49. The Jets gained some respect from Auburn, who weren’t expecting such a fight this close to finals, after countless 100 point wins recently. Of more surprise was the 2 goals scored by Mat ‘Bobcat’ Laurence, who will have to savour his forward dalliance, as Coach Kyle will send him back to the backline this week.
Goals- M. Laurence 2, D. Graham 1, T. Tibben 1.
Best- H. Scorpio, N. Milkins, C. Collins, S. Chase, D. Graham, A. Skinner.
The Jets ressies head to Gipps Road to face old adversaries Holroyd Parramatta this weekend.
Last Modified on 27/11/2010 17:14
