Wests Tigers Intrust Super Premiership side have suffered a disappointing 38-14 loss to the Newtown Jets at Henson Park this afternoon in their Round 5 match.
Wests Tigers got off to a good start when Jacob Liddle burrowed over from dummy half in the seventh minute. Josh Drinkwater converted for a 6-0 lead early in the match.
Newtown were quick to respond in near identical play three minutes later when Matt McIlwrick darted over at hooker out wide, with the missed conversion leaving it at 6-4.
Chance Peni continued his strong recent form when he extended the score for the visitors in the 15th minute — finishing off a sharp right edge move for another try.
Drinkwater could not convert from the sideline, and the visitors held a 10-4 lead.
The home side again responded quickly with Fa’amanu Brown beating three defenders to cross. Drew missed from the sideline to narrow the lead at 10-8.
Newtown dominated the remainder of the first stanza with two more tries.
Jordan Drew was on the end of a slick backline movement and Jacob Gagan crashing over just before the halftime break to race out to a 20-10 lead.
Brown kicked a late penalty goal on the buzzer and Newtown went into halftime leading 22-10.
The Jets lead extended in the second half when Travis Robinson made a break and found Mitch Brown in support. Nu Brown converted to give Newtown an 18-point lead.
Late inclusion David Fifita crossed in the 58th minute when he fell on a McIlwrick grubber kick. Jaline Graham took over the kicking duties and converted for a 34-10 lead.
Gagan had a double eight minutes later when he sliced through to cross in the corner.
Wests Tigers finished on a positive note when utility Jeremy Marshall-King pounced on a Jets loose ball and ran 85 metres to score just before the full time siren; however, it was all in vain as Newtown posted a comfortable 38-14 victory in the end.
Newtown 38 (Gagan 2, M.Brown, McIlwrick, Fifita, Drew, N.Brown tries; N.Brown 3/3, Graham 2/2 goals) def. Wests Tigers 14 (Liddle, Peni, Marshall-King tries; Drinkwater 2/3 goals)
