Chris Sandow superb as Wenty shut out Jets
March 2014
Ringrose Park, Wentworthville,
New South Wales
by Jodie Newell
Some of the mainstream NRL scribes simply don’t get it. Sometimes players don't run to deadlines with regards to form. They may be distracted with life issues, injuries and contractual concerns. Recently, Chris Sandow has been the source of ill-informed conjecture and assumptions. The only way to find out the real story is to go out and see him play in the best reserve grade rugby league competition in the world.
At Ringrose Park Wentworthville, Sandow put on a clinic in how to provide slick cut-out passes, fifth tackle kicks and extra point conversions as his side crushed the Newtown Jets 44-10. The victory was historic being the Magpies first ever win over the Newtown Jets at Ringrose.
“Anytime you beat a quality side like Newtown makes it a good win”
- Wentworthville Magpies coach Brett Cook
Sandow was superb, connecting with teammates in Kenny Sio and Ryan Morgan as they blasted the Jets off the park with successive early tries.
It was Kenny Sio who opened the Magpies account with a try after 4 minutes and Chris Sandow made sure of the conversion.
David Gower was soon bursting over the try line as Wenty increased their lead to 12-0.
The Newtown Jets defence was under enormous pressure as Wentworthville continually pounded their lines. The Jets could not counter the slick passing of Sandow who offloaded beautifully to Ryan Morgan who powered his way to a superb try. Sandow made the conversion as the game slipped right away from Newtown 18-0.
Not satisfied with that play, Ryan Morgan decided to take on the Jets lines yet again and scored a superb try, breaking several tackles to score his second of the day. Again Sandow had no trouble converting 24-0 for Wenty.
To emphasise the great game that Chris Sandow had, in the next try he crafted a beautiful fifth tackle kick that was placed above the running Kenny Sio who marked the ball and slammed it hard into the Ringrose turf. It was one of the tries of the game and Wenty all but shut out Newtown. Sandow kicked truly for the extras 30-0 for the Magpies.
The second half finished perfectly for Wentworthville as Chris Sandow set up Kenny Sio with a crisp cut-out pass. Sio scored his hat-trick as Wentworthville went into the sheds with a commanding 34-0 lead.
Newtown Jets could have expected a legendary half-time spray from head coach Greg Matterson, instead the wily coach knew the game was pretty much well and truly out of his teams reach and told his charges to simply concentrate on the percentages.
Matterson instructed his players to complete their sets, make the tackle and try not to allow Wentworthville easy yardage.
The Jets did begin the second half in a more positive manner with Shannon Gallant scoring his sides first try. Bobby Goulding made sure of the conversion and thankfully the Bluebags were on the board 34-6.
Shannon Gallant scored another try after he chased down his fifth tackle kick and the scoreboard was looking a little better for the Jets 34-10.
Wenty closed out the game with tries from Taniela Lasalo and Bureta Faraimo winning 44-10 over the Jets
Obviously the clear standouts for Wentworthville was Chris Sandow, Kenny Sio and Ryan Morgan whilst for Newtown Chris Taripo and Shannon Gallant tried hard all day. Andrew Pearn played his 50th game for Newtown.
Wenty sit second on the competition table with two wins, whilst Newtown are placed 9th. The Magpies play Manly at Brookvale Oval next Sunday, whilst the Jets have a tough assignment away against NSW Cup leaders the Mounties.
