NOR-WEST JETS-SENIORS MATCH REPORT v UTS BATS ROUND 17
The Nor-West Jets travelled to the historic Trumper Park in Paddington to take on finals contenders UTS, in what shaped as a titanic battle. The last meeting between the Jets and the Bats, played at Bruce Purser as part of ‘Nor-West Day’, ended with two tight games, with both teams winning one apiece.
The Seniors were without ruckman Dale Wellington, utility Josh Howe, winger Owen Butcher and inspirational centreman Nick Milkins, but welcomed back midfielders Ed Sullivan and Adam Fox, as well as reserve ruckman Greg Allen, fresh from a best-on-ground display against Mac Uni the week before.
The 6am bus trip from Richmond was taking its toll early on the Jets, as they seemed lethargic in their attack on the ball. Despite this, they added the first two goals of the game, before UTS hit back with a pair of their own. Some strange umpiring decisions did little to deter the Jets, and with a double siren resulting in what can only be described as a ‘home ground goal’ to the Bats, scores were locked at 20 all at quarter time.
The visiting Jets slowly blew out the cobwebs in the second, with the back six showing why they should be feared come finals, the run-and-carry game displayed resulting in many inside 50s with a three goal return, with only a lack of discipline late in the quarter gifting UTS with two of their own. The Jets led by a solitary goal at the main break, and hadn’t broken a sweat yet.
Inspired by a half time bake from former captain Andrew ‘Shagga’ Travers, the Jets came out of the sheds determined to return with the four premiership points, and they put on a masterclass, with the midfield of Aaron Clayden, Gerard Smits, and Sullivan, ably supported by Fox, captain Casey Wenselowski turning in a fine captain’s knock in the centre, and Cheyne Anderson, who all fed off the ruckwork of Allen, who dominated all day, to send the ball forward with monotonous regularity to the forwards, with Chris Kyle and Travers capitalising on the inside 50s, when they didn’t mark they locked it in with terrific forward pressure, as they Jets slammed on 5 goals to 1, and put the game almost out of UTS’s reach. Steve Davidson was almost untouchable on the half forward line, linking well with the delivery from defence, and running numerous opponents ragged with his no-nonsense approach on the football. The Jets realised that UTS clawed back from a similar margin in their first encounter this year, and vowed to put the Bats away in the last.
With the defence of Brophy, Pete Kyle, returning to the Seniors after a two month absence, and led by Paul Sherwood, Daniel Guthridge and Aaron Bayne, who repelled all Bats attacks, and set up many more of their own forward forays, the Jets hammered the Bats into submission, firing home 7 more, including a 65 metre effort from Clayden, that brought rapturous applause from the magoos, who had set themselves up on the hill behind the goals after their 1 point win earlier. Steve Chase turned back the clock with a sensational game, tagging out one of UTS’ better players in Zac Jardine, who still proved a handful, while keeping his possession count at its usual heights, and taking some courageous marks in the last line of defence.
This Jets outfit grows with confidence with every approaching game to September, and with players the calibre of Pascoe, Lloyd and full forward Mick Craigie to join the list of absentees from this game, will only get better in the impending clash with rivals UNSW/ES in the semi finals.
Nor-West running out 70 point winners, 18.9-117 to UTS 7.5-47.
Goals- Chris Kyle, Andrew Travers 5 each, Casey Wenselowski 2, Aaron Clayden, Michael Yee, Ed Sullivan, Gerard Smits 1 each.
Best Players- Steve Davidson, Aaron Bayne, Daniel Guthridge, Paul Sherwood, Casey Wenselowski, Steve Chase.
RESERVE GRADE MATCH REPORT v UTS BATS
This week the Jets continued their march to the finals with an early morning game against finals hopefuls the UTS Bats. This game was the classic arm wrestle and provided some heart stopping moments for the coaching staff whilst at the same time sending a message to the rest of the league that the Jets can tough it out with the best. This week we welcomed back key forward Luke Ayling from a stint in the Middle East and Mark Quemard from injury. The game started at a frenetic pace with both teams moving the ball from end to end without impacting on the score board. At the end of a hard fought first term the Bats had a 1 point lead. The pace continued into the second term although the Jets adapted to conditions better and started to stamp some authority on the game. Another super effort, in the ruck, from Adam Newton provided plenty of ball to the jets dominant centre combination of Mark Quemard and Chris Graf who continually pushed the ball into the Jets scoring zone and saw the jets kick away to a 14 point lead at the long break. The third quarter was a goal for goal encounter with the ball rebounding quickly on the small Trumper Park ground. Inaccuracy by the Bats kept the jets well in the game despite the Bats having 5 more scoring opportunities. At the three quarter time break the jets had increased their lead by 1 point. With the guarantee of a finals berth for the winners the Bats were not going to let this game slip from their grasp easily. The Bats came out in the last quarter and hit the Jets with everything they had to offer. This combined with some ‘friendly’ decisions saw the Jets kept goalless for the final term while the bats kicked three straight. Despite enormous pressure the Jets managed to hold out the fast finishing Bats to take the honours by a single point. Next week we return to Bensons for the last game of the season against fierce rivals Parramatta.
NOR-WEST
Goal Kickers: S. Potts 2, M. Lewis 2, A. Newton, L. Ayling, J. Cadet
Best Players: M. Quemard, S. Makins, S. Potts, A. Newton, M. Lewis, C. Graf
Last Modified on 27/11/2010 18:13
