THINGS are looking positive for the Nowra-Bomaderry Jets as they go into their clash with the Kiama Knights at Nowra Showground on Sunday.
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The Jets made a positive start to their 2014 campaign, with a 28-all draw with Jamberoo on Saturday night and their coach Ben Wellington can only see them improving.
While he was slightly disappointed not to take full points against Jamberoo after they led 24-16 at the break, he still thought it was a positive result.
“With our lead going into half time, I think we could’ve grinded out a win,” Wellington said.
“We had about seven or eight sets on our line and it was only when we dropped the ball that they came back at us.
“I felt like we could’ve won, but in saying that, I’m happy to at least get a point out of our first game, because no one wants to start off behind.”
Wellington said there were just a few problems with their discipline and a couple of silly mistakes that cost them, but thought they performed well in other areas, particularly in defence.
“I thought the team defended excellently, we were always tackling hard," he said.
“We dominated them in the forwards, but they did their second-phase play really well.”
Steve Brandon looks like a massive asset after being named player’s player and man of the match in his first game since switching from rugby union, while Wellington thought Zac Kershaw, Arthur Scott and Ryan James all had good games in the forwards.
While they could be without veteran halfback Geoff Johnson for at least a month, Kurt Quinlan will return to the halves to give them a boost against Kiama.
Kiama have made a strong start to the season with a win against Jamberoo in the opening round, while they were only just pipped in a 20-18 nail-biter against competition heavyweights Warilla last week.
“A couple of our boys went to watch their game against Warilla and they all said they had really good line speed in defence, so I’m assuming they’re pretty fit,” Wellington said.
“We’ll have to take it to them and control the ruck and hopefully we can come away with a win,” he added.