Confusion reigned supreme at Henson Park on Sunday as the Nor-West Jets faced off against Sydney University in Round 2 action.
With an 830am start to proceedings, the Jets arrived to find the rugby league posts still up from the previous night’s NSW Cup fixture between Newtown and Canterbury Bankstown. Rushed calls were made and preparations were made for their removal, forcing the game to be delayed by nearly 30 minutes, and it was the Students that started the game the better, as they relentlessly peppered the Jets defence for the first term. Returning to bolster the backline, Daniel Guthridge held strong on his fancied opponent, while Warwick Smith and Aaron Bayne played inspired football across half back. Uni had kicked 3 goals to a single behind at quarter time with the aid of a strong breeze to the scoreboard end, and the Jets stepped up a gear by adding their first of the game through Pete Kyle. It was a tough slog through the middle, as Ethon Coombs and Captain Kyle Clarke held firm against a talented Uni midfield, who added a goal against the wind to take a 20 point advantage to the main break. The Jets were missing key forward Josh Howe and defensive monster David Clinch through injury, but had the depth to cover, and the belief in the second half.
To make up the lost time at the start of the game, the umpiring group had decided that the last two quarters were to be 10 minutes less than usual, meaning the Jets faced a tough task with Uni using the aid of a strong breeze again. Bayne played loose across half back, while Sunday Achiek and Troy Clent were getting the better of their opposite ruck. Owen Butcher, playing his first game since 2012, was owning the dangerous Sebastian Dixon through the centre. The Jets held the Students goalless but couldn’t add one themselves, and the half time margin was again 20 points with only 12 minutes remaining. The Jets started with a flurry, as Smith was moved to half forward and Steve Quirk took charge of the midfield brigade and lifted, with the Jets scoring three rapid goals, including great crumbing efforts from Quirk and Butcher, to come within a point with 2 minutes remaining, but a slow start and poor disposal and ball protection cost Nor-West a share of top spot with Randwick as Sydney Uni steadied to win by 2 points, 4.8-32 to 4.6-30.
Nor-West Jets
Goal Kickers: P. Kyle 2, O. Butcher , S. Quirk
Best Players: A. Bayne, D. Guthridge, W. Smith, O. Butcher, A. Newton, K. Clarke
The Div 5 side travelled away to play hosts Camden Cats in HarringtonPark under grey skies. With the heavens opening up Friday afternoon it was sceptical whether the Jets would be able to take the field or not. (No pun intended.)
With a few changes in the squad due to injury along with the challenging task set trying to take down the Cats, who usually have a tall and well built squad, Nor-West started well. Jye Charlton Brennan opened the scoring with an outstanding goal on the run from 40m out. Possession and momentum was with the Jets at quarter time leading the Cats 0.3 – 3 too 2.4 – 16. However the Jets were undermanned yet again as Zack Coombs (knee injury) and key Ruckman Owen Hickman (back) both succumbing to injury.
However after the break the hosts came out firing to have the visitors on the back foot for the whole quarter with the back six of the Jets holding siege after siege to ensure the visitors went into the break up by 3 points. Cats 2.6 – 18, Jets 2.9 – 21.
After some restructuring at half time by the coach, the Jets came out firing with Jye Charlton Brennan kicking two goals in quick succession to regain momentum which was not handed back for the rest of the game. Alex Lorenzelli continued his outstanding start to the year providing a courageous run and carry of the back line in a best on ground performance. Matthew Brophy, Jeremy Dilger, Seb Goldrick and Blake Heggie worked well as a unit all day locking down key attackers to repeal the Cats to give the Jets a 24 point lead going into the final change.
The visitors piled on anther 27 points in the final term only allowing the hosts one point to run away victors Cats 3.9 – 27, Jets 8.19 – 67. Bennett Idstein, Joshua Edwards, Daniel Soderman and Richard Boucher all toiled hard in the midfield to ensure the Jets came home with a victory to start the year 2 -0.
Nor-West Jets
Goal Kickers: J. Charlton Brennan 3, M. Morgan 2, M. Guthridge , L. Sharpe , D. Soderman
Best Players: A. Lorenzelli, J. Edwards, B. Idstein, S. Goldrick, J. Charlton Brennan, D. Soderman
Player Match Stats
The Jets face another trip to Henson Park in Division 3 action to square off against the Balmain Tigers, newly relegated from Division 2, while the high flying Ressies head to Gore Hill Oval for a test against North Shore Bombers.
Last Modified on 10/04/2014 09:38
