Sunday’s elimination semi-final between the two NSWRL foundation clubs shapes up as a classic

TheNewtown and North Sydney clubs have met twice in elimination semi-finals inrecent years and on both occasions the matches were thrillers.

TheBears prevailed by 17-16 in a pulsating encounter in 2011, and Newtown won ingolden point extra time in 2012 with Daniel Mortimer kicking a long-rangepenalty goal.

In2019 Newtown won 32-30 in round 5 at Henson Park, while the Bears squaredaccounts in round 17 at North Sydney Oval with a convincing 22-8 win.

TheJets go into Sunday’s sudden-death match on the back of an outstandingperformance against Mounties last Saturday; Norths were well beaten by SouthSydney 32-12 in their qualifying final.

AsBig League puts it, “Newtown and North Sydney face off, with theirregular season results split one apiece. Although the Bears finished higher onthe competition table, Newtown can be regarded as being in better recent formand this should be a compelling clash.”

Newtown’smatch details for Sunday:

NSWRLCanterbury Cup NSW – Elimination Semi-Final

Sunday, 15^th September 2019

Leichhardt Oval

NorthSydney (3^rd place, 28 points) versus Newtown (7^th place,25 points)

Kick-Off: 12.10pm.

Newtown Jets supporters please note the early kick-off time.

Referee: Todd Smith.

AssistantReferee:Cameron Paddy.

TouchJudges:Adam Reid and Benjamin Teague.

Televisioncoverage:Live on 9Gem from 12 noon.

Radio: Live broadcasts bySteele Sports; 2HHH 100.1FM; HAWK 89.9FM; SWR 99.9FM.

Newtown’steam for Sunday (as per Big League magazine):

WillKennedy, Sione Katoa, Matt Evans, Jackson Ferris, Tyrone Phillips, Jack A.Williams (Capt), Braydon Trindall, Wes Lolo, Grant Garvey, Jimmy Jolliffe,Scott Sorensen, Siosifa Talakai, Jayson Bukuya.

Bench:Teig Wilton, Daniel Vasquez, Luke Polselli, Toby Rudolf, Josh Carr, GregEastwood.

Coach:Greg Matterson.

North Sydney:
Kieren Moss, Asu Kepaoa, Billy Smith, James Tuitahi, Bernard Lewis, Lachlan Lam, Drew Hutchison, Poasa Faamausili, Bradley Deitz, Lindsay Collins, Sitili Tupouniua, Thomas Freebairn, Max Bailey.

Bench:Jerry Key, Elih Jackson, Benjamin Thomas, Egan Butcher, John Tuivaiti.

Coach:Jason Taylor.

Here’sthe NSWRL match preview:  https://www.nswrl.com.au/news/2019/09/12/match-preview-north-sydney-v-newtown/

Highlightsfrom the Newtown-Mounties elimination final:  https://www.nswrl.com.au/news/2019/09/09/highlights--mounties-v-newtown---finals-week-1/

Aninteresting article from the NSWRL website on Newtown’s impressive back-rower Toby Rudolf: https://www.nswrl.com.au/news/2019/09/12/how-f45-and-a-dog-has-rudolf-back-on-track-for-nrl/

Andan article on Will Kennedy from today’s online version of the Western Advocate(Bathurst): https://www.westernadvocate.com.au/story/6382377/kennedys-in-top-form-as-jets-prepare-to-battle-the-bears/?cs=116

Favourable assessments continue to be made on the updated version of the Jets club history, Taking It To The Streets – The Second Life of the Newtown RLFC.
Recent positive reviews have come from the club’s Official Patron, John Singleton, as well as from English rugby league writers and commentators Dave Hadfield, Harry Edgar and Alex Service.

Thisrecently-released book is available online at: https://www.newtownjetsclothing.com.au/product/taking-it-to-the-street-the-second-life-of-the-newtown-rlfc/

Youcan also buy the book directly from the Newtown RLFC office by calling into theoffice (at 14 Rich St, Marrickville) or phoning 1300 36 36 90. It is alsoavailable in several inner-western book stores.