Newtown Jets make a strong start to their NSW Cup season.

The Newtown Jets players and staff after the win over Penrith on Saturday, 14th March. As the Jets and Penrith only play each other once in this season’s NSW Cup competition rounds, Saturday’s 38-16 win against the Panthers ensures that the Newtown Jets are the 2026 winners of the Ken Wilson-Ray Blacklock Cup. (Photo: Mario Facchini, @mafphotography)

After being decisively beaten by the Penrith Panthers in a trial match three weeks ago, the Newtown Jets reversed that result last Saturday at the St Marys Leagues Stadium.

Newtown defeated the Panthers by 38-16, but had to withstand a spirited second half fightback by Penrith. The Jets led 18-6 at halftime and the result was very much in the balance midway through the second half, when Newtown led by 26-16.

The Jets halfback and captain Niwhai Puru was in top form, laying on a display of clever midfield ball distribution, accurate goal kicking as well as a critical intercept. Puru incurred an ankle injury in the second half that will be of concern to the Jets coaching group.

Newtown back-rowers Harrison Hassett and Jaxon Lavender were making their NSW Cup competition debuts for the Jets, with Hassett (a former Penrith Panther) topping the tackle count and Lavender (ex-Canberra Raiders) running good lines in possession and scoring a second half try.

The combination of the H’s:
Cathane Hill (left), Blake Hosking (centre) and Harrison Hassett combine to bring down this Penrith Panther player.
Photo: Mario Facchini, mafphotography

Front-rowers Sam McCulloch and Felix Faatili turned strong performances, and giant prop Tuku Hau Tapuha made a lot of midfield ground and scored Newtown’s first try. Lock Blake Hosking and fullback Taj Ford also scored tries in the first half.

This result would have been pleasing to the Jets coach George Ndaira, bearing in mind Newtown had a bye in the first competition round and were playing away to one of the stronger NSW Cup clubs.

Jaxon Lavender, an off-season signing from the Raiders, scored a vital try in the second half, and winger Kristian Dixon ran onto a cleverly-placed grubber kick by Khaled Rajab to complete Newtown’s try-scoring for the evening.

The Jets high completion rate and determined defence indicated that this team had travelled west to do the business.

With Newtown and Penrith only playing each other once in this year’s NSW Cup competition draw, Saturday’s result means that the Jets retain the Ken Wilson-Ray Blacklock Cup for 2026.

The Jets travel away again in the upcoming third round, when they take on the Melbourne Storm on Saturday, 21st March at the Seabrook Reserve, Broadmeadows at 2.00pm. This match is being played at the Melbourne Storm’s Centre of Excellence Complex and is being livestreamed on BarTV NSWRL.

The Wilson-Blacklock Cup on display on the pristine playing surface of the St Marys Leagues Stadium.
The trophy honours the outstanding careers and memories of Ken Wilson and Ray Blacklock, who played with distinction for both the Newtown and Penrith clubs.

Photo: Mario Facchini, mafphotography.

Match Details:
NSWRL Knock-On Effect NSW Cup

Round 2

Saturday, 14th March 2026

St Marys Leagues Stadium

Penrith v Newtown

Kick-Off: 4.45pm

Newtown’s powerhouse front-rower Tuku Hau Tapuha was in top form against Penrith on Saturday, scoring the Jets first try and making a lot of metres through the middle.
Photo: Mario Facchini, mafphotography

Match Result:
Newtown 38:
Tuku Hau Tapuha, Blake Hosking, Taj Ford,
Felix Faatili, Jaxon Lavender, Kristian Dixon tries;

Niwhai Puru 4 conversions, 1 penalty goal,

Riley Pollard 2 conversions
defeated
Penrith 16:
Jiral Liddiard, Zakauri Clarke, Sione Fonua tries;

Zakauri Clarke 2 conversions.

Half-Time: Newtown led 18-6.
Tom Ale (Penrith) was sin-binned in the 73rd minute.

Newtown Jets centre Cathane Hill has gained a place in the Jets NSW Cup team after impressing during the gruelling pre-season training program and the trial matches.

He has played with several clubs, most recently the Young Cherrypickers in Group 9. Photo: Mario Facchini, mafphotography.

Match Officials:
Referee: Mitch Currie

Touch Judges: Isaac El-Hassan, Mitchell Stone
Standby: Karra-Lee Nolan.

Weather: Sunny, 25 degrees, slight breeze, 45% humidity

Playing surface: Excellent.

Newtown has won the Ken Wilson-Ray Blacklock Cup for 2026.

(Penrith and Newtown were only drawn to play each other once in the 2026 NSW Cup competition rounds.)

Newtown’s halfback and captain Niwhai Puru was in superb form on Saturday, directing the Jets midfield play with great skill.

His second half intercept brought back memories of the 2024 NSW Cup Grand Final. Photo: Mario Facchini, mafphotography.

Team Details:
Newtown’s team was:
Fullback: Taj Ford
Wingers: Kristian Dixon, Joe Nadenic

Centres: Cathane Hill, Michael Gabrael

Halves: Riley Pollard, Niwhai Puru (Captain)
Lock: Blake Hosking

Second-Rowers: Jaxon Lavender, Harrison Hassett
Front-Rowers: Tuku Hau Tapuha, Brad Fearnley

Hooker: Kobie Wilson.

Interchange:
Felix Faatili, Khaled Rajab
Jontay-Junior Betham-Misa, Sam McCulloch

Reserve: Peter Taateo

Coach: George Ndaira

Blue Shirt Trainer: Tom Haberecht
Yellow Shirt Trainer: Brett Kaplan

Orange Shirt Trainer: Chris Moubarak

Game Day Doctor: Dr Daryl Wong.

Penrith’s team:

Fullback: Jaxen Edgar
Wingers: Jesse McLean, Jiral Liddiard
Centres: Sione Fonua, Patrick Moimoi
Halves: Keahn Skipps, Jack Cole
Lock: Delahia Wigmore
Second-Rowers: Zakauri Clarke, Harry Armstrong
Front-Rowers: Luron Patea, Tom Ale
Hooker: Billy Scott
Interchange:
Vea Tapa’Atoutai, Toby Crosby
Jakeb Vailalo, Nick Murphy
Reserves:
Kurt Falls, Josh Ruxton
Coach: Jono Rolfe

Blue Shirt Trainer: Mark Dugandzich
Yellow Shirt Trainer: Shad Dahdal

Gold Shirt Trainer: Kevin McKinlay
Game Day Doctor: Dr Mark Mousad.

Back-rower Jaxon Lavender was an off-season purchase from the Canberra Raiders and he proved to be a real impact edge forward against the Panthers on Saturday.
Photo: Mario Facchini, mafphotography

Match Timeline:
First Half:
Penrith kicked off, running to the northern end.
The kick-off went out on the full.

9th minute: Tuku Hau Tapuha try
Converted by Niwhai Puru. Newtown 6-0.

11:30mins: Blake Hosking try.

Converted by Niwhai Puru. Newtown 12-0.

15:30 mins: Cathane Hill (Newtown) on report.

17th minute: Penrith try, conversion. Newtown 12-6.

25th minute: Taj Ford try
Converted by Niwhai Puru. Newtown 18-6.

Half-Time: Newtown led by 18-6.
Second Half:
Newtown kicked off.

45th minute: Felix Faatili try.

Converted by Niwhai Puru. Newtown 24-6.
50th minute: Penrith try, conversion. Newtown 24-12.
56th minute: Niwhai Puru penalty goal. Newtown 26-12.

58th minute: Penrith try, not converted. Newtown 26-16.

68th minute: Jaxon Lavender try
Converted by Riley Pollard. Newtown 32-16.

74:30 minutes: Tom Ale (Penrith) sin-binned.
76th minute: Kristian Dixon try.

Converted by Riley Pollard. Newtown 38-16.

Full-Time: Newtown 38 defeated Penrith 16.

Harrison Hassett is another off-season back-row acquisition. He topped the tackle count on Saturday against his former club Penrith.
Photo: Mario Facchini, mafphotography.

Match Statistics:

Player Statistics:
Harrison Hassett: 34 tackles.

Kristian Dixon: most run metres: 173 metres.

Tuku Hau Tapuha: most line breaks: 2.

Team Statistics:
Possession: Newtown 52%, Penrith 48%

Time in possession: Newtown 24:30 mins, Penrith 23:00.
Completions: Newtown 88%, 31/35; Penrith: 77%, 28/36.

All runs made: Penrith 153, Newtown 165.

Metres run: Penrith 1528, Newtown 1625.

Post-contact metres: Penrith 571, Newtown 557.

Line breaks: Penrith 3, Newtown 8.

Tackle breaks: Penrith 24, Newtown 40.

Average set distance: Penrith 42.5, Newtown 46.5.

Kick return metres: Penrith 154, Newtown 105.

Average play the ball speed: Penrith 3.6s, Newtown 3.7s.

Offloads: Penrith 9, Newtown 5.

Receipts: Penrith 365, Newtown 381.
Total passes: Penrith 199, Newtown 205.

Dummy passes: Penrith 21, Newtown 6.

Kicks: Penrith 19, Newtown 21.

Kicking metres: Penrith 436, Newtown 539.

Forced dropouts: Penrith 0, Newtown 1.
Kick defusal: Penrith 93%, Newtown 58%
Bombs: Penrith 4, Newtown 7.

Grubbers: Penrith 5, Newtown 2.

Effective tackles: Penrith 86.8%, Newtown 89.2%
Tackles made: Penrith 297, Newtown 296.
Missed tackles: Penrith 40, Newtown 24.

Intercepts: Penrith 0, Newtown 1.

Errors: Penrith 9, Newtown 6.

Penalties conceded: Penrith 4, Newtown 9.

Ruck infringements: Penrith 4, Newtown 1.

On report: Penrith 1, Newtown 2.

Sin Bins: Penrith 1, Newtown 0.

Interchanges: Penrith 8, Newtown 8.

Both front-rowers Sam McCulloch (left) and Jontay-Junior Betham-Misa made powerful contributions in the tough going on Saturday.

Photo: Mario Facchini, mafphotography

Newtown’s next game details:
NSWRL Knock-On Effect NSW Cup
Round 3
Saturday, 21st March 2026
Seabrook Reserve, Broadmeadows (Vic.)

Melbourne Storm v Newtown Jets
Kick-Off: 2.00pm.
Live Streamed on BarTV NSWRL.