By Chloe Olivian
The Newtown Jets proved too good for the North Sydney Bears 44-22 at Henson Park in the first leg of the Frank Hyde Shield.
Both sides went into the game occupying the last two spots on the VB NSW Cup competition ladder and were quickly losing touch with the top eight sides.
With a big crowd on hand to cheer them on, the Newtown Jets led 16-0 after 20 minutes of the game.
Rhyse Martin scored in the 31st minute and it was 22-0 after Arana Taumata added the extras.
The scoring didn’t end there for the first half with tries from Tautau Moga and Chris Taripo putting the Newtown Jets ahead 32-0 at the interval.
It took 49 minutes of the match for North Sydney to finally open their account thanks to a four pointer to Jackson Garlick.
Three minutes later, Kurt Aldridge converted his own try to make it 32-12.
North Sydney gave their supporters a glimmer of hope after Jesse Roberts crossed in the 62nd minute. Aldridge added the extras to make it 32-18.
With Newtown Coach Greg Matterson barking instructions, the Jets were able to stop the comeback after they scored soon after.
North Sydney replied with a try in the 70th minute with Roberts scoring his second try of the game.
But it was Newtown that finished the point scoring for the day when Kurt Kara crossed with three minutes remaining.
The Newtown Jets take a 22-point advantage going into the second leg of the Frank Hyde Shield, to be played on Saturday, June 7 at North Sydney Oval.
Newtown will be hoping to make it two wins from as many matches when they travel to the Central Coast to take on the Wyong Roos at Morry Breen Oval this weekend.
North Sydney, with just one win this season, will entertain the Newcastle Knights at North Sydney Oval.
Newtown Jets 44 (C Taripo 2, J Noble, R Martin, T Moga, S Langi, R Verlinden, K Kara tries; A Taumata 6 goals) def. North Sydney Bears 22 (J Roberts 2, J Garlick, K Aldridge tries; K Aldridge 3 goals) at Henson Park
