Livewire Newtown Jets fullback Leigh Higgins (with the ball) was previously with the St George-Illawarra NYC team in 2015 and with Collegians in the Illawarra first grade competition last year. His Jets team-mates in the background (from the left) are Manaia Cherrington, Sam Tagataese, Edrick Lee and Jaimin (aka Jimmy) Jolliffe. Photo: Gary Sutherland Photography
Livewire Newtown Jets fullback Leigh Higgins (with the ball) was previously with the St George-Illawarra NYC team in 2015 and with Collegians in the Illawarra first grade competition last year. His Jets team-mates in the background (from the left) are Manaia Cherrington, Sam Tagataese, Edrick Lee and Jaimin (aka Jimmy) Jolliffe. Photo: Gary Sutherland Photography

Jets win last minute thriller against Penrith

The Newtown Jets secured two badly-needed competition points when they defeated Penrith Panthers 18-16 in the Intrust Super Premiership rugby league match at Pepper Stadium on Sunday. In a game played in very warm conditions, the Panthers led 10-0 at half-time and looked to have the match in hand when they led 16-6 with less than ten minutes remaining. The Jets staged a pulsating finish, scoring two late tries with the last try being converted from the sideline in the final minute of play.

Penrith had the better of the first half but the Jets hung in and managed to stay within striking distance of the home team. The Panthers had their opportunities to lock up the result in the second half but strong defence and some good fortune kept Newtown in the contest. Lanky Jets winger Edrick Lee snapped up an intercept with eight minutes left on the clock and raced 95 metres to score. The Jets forwards staged one last offensive and carried the ball deep into Panthers territory in the second last minute, and young back-rower Jayden Walker won the race to ground the precisely-directed grubber kick into the opposition’s in-goal by five-eighth Penani Manumalealii. Halfback Fa’amanu Brown’s conversion attempt from the sideline followed a wobbly trajectory, but it was straight enough for the touch judges to raise their flags to signal an astonishing Jets victory.

Newtown coach Greg Matterson acknowledged after the game that while the Panthers didn’t make sure of their scoring chances in the second half, the Jets had not made the most of their own scoring opportunities in the first forty minutes. Matterson said this had been a gruelling contest in unseasonably warm weather, and he was pleased with his players’ ability and determination to finish so strongly. He especially mentioned the big forwards Sam Tagataese and Tony Williams who made valuable metres for the Jets in those fiercely-fought final minutes. Jaimin Jolliffe was again one of Newtown’s best forwards, while all the young Jets team members having their first season in senior rugby league will benefit from the experience of this game.

The Newtown Jets return home to Henson Park this coming Saturday, 22nd April, when they take on the Sydney Roosters partnership club, Wyong. This 8th round Intrust Super Premiership NSW fixture kicks off at 3.00pm.

Hard-running centre Nene Macdonald played on numerous occasions for the Newtown Jets in 2021.  Last Sunday Nene was playing for Papua-New Guinea against the Cook Islands in the 2023 Pacific Championships - Pacific Bowl and he scored four tries. (Photo: Mike Magee).

Information about 2024 Newtown RLFC memberships; Newtown Jets playing in the 2023 Pacific Championship Series; and a reminder about Newtown RLFC merchandise.

Kyle Pickering and Daniel Atkinson, Italian rugby league representative team, 7th October 2023 (NSWRL Twitter) crop

These Newtown Jets players have gained selection in various end of season representative rugby league teams

Newtown Jets 2023 Presentation Night bottom image for web post

The Newtown Jets RLFC held its Annual Presentation Dinner on the evening of Friday, 29th September 2023 at the Petersham RSL Club.

Newtown Jets left-edge backrower Kyle Pickering (in possession) about to score at Henson Park on Saturday, 22nd July 2023. Jets fullback Manaia Waitere salutes the crowd after playing a clever role in setting up the try. (Photo: Mario Facchini, mafphotography)

Newtown RLFC 2023 Presentation Dinner Details

July 22, 2023 - Marrickville, New South Wales, Australia, Kyle Pickering of the Newtown Jets scores his second try of the game during Round 21 of the NSWRL Knock On Effect NSW Cup at Henson Park in Marrickville, New South Wales. (Mario Facchini/mafphotography)

Newtown RLFC 2023 Presentation Night Details

Sunday Sun 603

The Other Premiers of 1943

Australian Mutual Bank
Front of Jersey

Petersham RSL
Back of Jersey

Deicorp
Back of Jersey, Training Gear, Socks

Invisi-Gard
Jersey Minor

John Singleton Group
Sleeve

Schofield King Lawyers
Sleeve

Coverforce
Front of Shorts

The Henson
Back of Shorts

Sydney Park Hotel
Back of Shorts

Sports Medicine Institute
Medical Services & Rehabilitation

Label Plus
Major Sponsor

Arista Technologies
Technology Partner

Newtown Jets respect and honour the Traditional Custodians of the Land and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on and that the land area encompassing Henson Park traditionally belonged to the Gadigal people of the Eora nation.