The Jets and the Bulldogs battle out a wet weather draw
The 22nd round NSW Cup match between Newtown and Canterbury-Bankstown was transferred from Belmore Sports Ground to Sharks Stadium and played on Sunday afternoon.
The game was played in wet conditions that officials from both clubs had not seen their teams playing in for several years. The NSW Cup match was played as a curtain-raiser to the Cronulla Sharks-North Queensland Cowboys NRL fixture.
The Jets-Bulldogs match was a hard-fought encounter that ended in an 18-all draw, with no points scored for the last twenty-five minutes of the game. Both clubs were probably pleased to come away with a competition point, given the uncertainty associated with playing in such difficult weather conditions.
The BarTV commentator at Sharks Stadium made the observation that the rain on Sunday was unlike anything he had seen at a senior rugby league match in a number of years.
The Jets were put under some early attacking pressure from the Bulldogs, but the first time Newtown made it down to Canterbury’s end, Jayden Berrell sent a perfect grubber kick into the in-goal where it was pounced on by Michael Gabrael. The try was not converted and Newtown led 4-0.
The Bulldogs regained good field position by way of a top class 40/20 kick. The big Canterbury forwards employed a clever set play that opened up the Jets goal-line defence, resulting in a try. After 15 minutes Canterbury led 6-4.
Most of the playing surface was in good condition although there were pools of water lying at the southern end (the end Canterbury was defending). The Jets middle forward Jontay-Junior Betham-Misa powered across the tryline in the 26th minute but couldn’t ground the ball. Canterbury worked their way back into Newtown’s end of the field just as the rain started to fall more heavily.
The big Bulldogs pack was putting the Newtown defence under pressure, and Canterbury scored again in the 29th minute. Now the Jets trailed 12-4 and given the conditions, another Bulldogs try would have a big influence on the game.
Newtown took advantage of a handling error by Canterbury inside their own 20 metres, which was followed by a near all-in melee at Canterbury’s end of the field. Jets forwards Dylan Coutts and Jordin Leiu both went close to scoring, but fullback Mawene Hiroti showed great strength and determination to break through several Canterbury defenders to score. Niwhai Puru converted the try and Canterbury went into the half-time break with a 12-10 lead.
(Photo: Mario Facchini/mafphotography)
The Jets made a great start to the second half, taking advantage of a Bulldogs handling error. The in-form Mawene Hiroti cruised over for his second try, only two minutes into the second half. Niwhai Puru converted this try and Newtown now led by 16-12. Puru extended the Jets lead with a penalty goal in the 51st minute.
Canterbury punished the Jets for a handling error at their own end of the field, with the Bulldogs scoring again through their big centre crashing through several tackles. This try was converted, and the scores were now locked together at 18-all with 25 minutes left to play.
Newtown conceded penalties that brought Canterbury back into their territory, but the Jets were collectively proving to be up to the task of defending their tryline.
As time ran down, Niwhai Puru attempted a couple of field goals in the last ten minutes without success, and the Dogs fired off a long range effort that went well wide. Late in the game Jets lock Hohepa Puru made a thrilling midfield break but it wasn’t possible to link up with any support players.
Both teams deserve credit that in such difficult playing conditions, every high kick put up by both teams was safely defused by the fullbacks and wingers.
Newtown’s forwards worked very hard and did well to contain the big Canterbury pack who were playing in conditions that suited the Bulldogs rugged style. Jets backrower Kyle Pickering made 46 tackles in an outstanding display.
The Newtown Jets take on finals aspirants Penrith next Saturday (9th August) at Henson Park at 3.00pm. This is Newtown’s last home game for the 2025 NSW Cup season, and accordingly it is the Newtown Jets club reunion day.
This NSW Cup fixture is also the deciding match in the 2025 Ken Wilson-Ray Blacklock Cup series contested between the Newtown and Penrith clubs.
There is a Jersey Flegg curtain-raiser between the Cronulla Sharks and Penrith at Henson Park at 12.30pm.
Newtown’s next game details:
This is the Newtown Jets Club Reunion Day for 2025.
NSWRL Knock-On Effect NSW Cup
Round 23
Saturday, 9th August 2025
Henson Park
Newtown (4th place, 29 points) v Penrith (5th place, 26 points)
Kick-Off: 3.00pm.
Saturday’s match will be livestreamed on BarTV NSWRL
This is also the deciding match for the 2025 Ken Wilson-Ray Blacklock Cup series.
There is a Jersey Flegg Cup curtain-raiser between the Cronulla Sharks and Penrith at Henson Park at 12.30pm.
Match Result:
Newtown 18:
Mawene Hiroti 2,
Michael Gabrael tries;
Niwhai Puru 2 conversions, 1 penalty goal
drew with
Canterbury-Bankstown 18:
Logan Spinks, Kurtis Morrin,
Cassius Tia tries;
Toby Sexton 3 conversions.
Half-Time: Canterbury-Bankstown led 12-10.
The Teams were: -
Newtown:
Fullback: Mawene Hiroti
Wingers: Kristian Dixon, Sam Stonestreet
Centres: Chris Vea’ila, Michael Gabrael
Halves: Khaled Rajab, Niwhai Puru
Lock: Hohepa Puru
Second-Rowers: Kyle Pickering, Dylan Coutts
Front-Rowers: Tuku Hau Tapuha, Max Bradbury
Hooker: Jayden Berrell (Captain)
Interchange:
Jontay-Junior Betham-Misa, Jordin Leiu
Riley Jones, Brad Fearnley
18th Man: Eli Clark.
Blue Shirt Trainer: Tom Haberecht
Yellow Shirt Trainer: Craig Tredinnick
Orange Shirt Trainer: Chris Moubarak
Game Day Doctor: Dr Ash Shukla.
Coach: George Ndaira.
Canterbury-Bankstown:
Fullback: Taye Cochrane
Wingers: Blake Wilson, Jonathan Sua
Centres: Cassius Tia, Hamish Wilson
Halves: Joseph O’Neill, Toby Sexton
Lock: Jack Todd
Second-Rowers: Luke Smith, Logan Spinks
Front-Rowers: Kurtis Morrin, Daniel Suluka
Hooker: Reuben Moyle
Interchange:
Jack Underhill, Taniela Otukolo
Lipoi Hopoi, Zyon Maiu’u
18th Man: Jed Reardon
Blue Shirt Trainer: Gurpreet Singh
Yellow Shirt Trainer: Bray McAnally
Orange Shirt Trainer: Lachlan Mollica
Game Day Doctor: Dr Keane Henderson
Coach: Mick Potter.
Video material:
NSW Cup Round 22 Highlights || Canterbury-Bankstown v Newtown || Played at Shark Stadium, Sunday, 3rd August 2025:
https://www.facebook.com/KnockOnEffectCup/videos/1522716842229286
Newtown coach George Ndaira's post-match comments, Sunday, 3rd August 2025:
https://www.facebook.com/newtownrlfc/videos/1430857561456087
The NSWRL Knock-On Effect NSW Cup competition table after 22 rounds:
https://www.nswrl.com.au/ladder/?competition=113&round=22&season=2025
Match Timeline:
First half.
Canterbury kicked off, running to the northern end.
6th minute: Canterbury concede a penalty that takes Newtown into Bulldogs territory.
7th minute: Michael Gabrael try.
Not converted. Newtown 4-0.
12th minute: 40/20 kick by Bulldogs.
13th minute: Canterbury try.
Try converted. Canterbury 6-4.
28th minute: Canterbury try.
Try converted. Canterbury 12-4.
33rd minute: Brad Fearnley on report for a dangerous tackle.
38th minute: Mawene Hiroti try.
Try converted by Niwhai Puru. Canterbury 12-10.
Half-Time: Canterbury 12 led Newtown 10.
Second Half.
Newtown kicked off, running to the northern end of Sharks Stadium.
42nd minute: Mawene Hiroti try.
Try converted by Niwhai Puru. Newtown 16-12.
51st minute: Niwhai Puru kicks a penalty goal.
Newtown 18-12.
54th minute: Canterbury try.
Try converted. 18-all.
75th minute: Newtown field goal attempt missed.
77th minute: Newtown field goal attempt missed.
78th minute: Canterbury field goal attempt missed.
Full-Time: Newtown 18 drew with Canterbury-Bankstown 18.
Match Statistics:
Newtown Players Statistics:
Most Tackles: Kyle Pickering; 46
Most metres run: Mawene Hiroti: 179
Most line breaks: Mawene Hiroti: 2
Team Statistics:
(Newtown: N; Canterbury: C).
Possession: C 48%, N 52%
Time in possession: C 23m20s; N 25m40s.
Completions: C 72%, 29/40; N 81%, 31/38
All runs: C 170, N 169
Total metres run: C 1273; N 1162
Post contact metres: C 418; N 459
Line breaks: C 4, N 2
Tackle breaks: C 43, N 42
Kick return metres: C 108, N 105
Offloads: C 10, N 6
Receipts: C 355, N 363
Total passes: C 194, N 191
Dummy passes: C 9, N 11
Kicks: C 12, N 18
Kicking metres: C 368, N 565
Forced drop outs: C 0, N 1
Kick defusal: C 100%, N 100%
40/20: C 1, N 0
Bombs: C 1, N 2
Grubbers: C 5, N 2
Tackles made: C 333, N 318
Missed tackles: C 42, N 43
Ineffective tackles: C 12, N 13
Errors: C 10, N 9
Penalties conceded: C 11, N 8
Ruck infringements: C 2, N 0
Inside 10 metres: C 0, N 1
On report: C 0, N 1
Interchanges: C 8, N 8.
(Photo: Mario Facchini/mafphotography)
(Photo:. Mario Facchini/mafphotography)
Sunday’s Match Details were:
NSWRL Knock-On Effect NSW Cup
Round 22
Sunday, 3rd August 2025
Sharks Stadium, Woolooware
Canterbury-Bankstown v Newtown
Kick-Off: 1.40pm
This match was livestreamed on BarTV NSWRL
Weather: 14 degrees, frequent heavy rain showers.
Playing surface: Very good; pools of water lying on parts of the ground.