Throw Back Thursday – An Historic Day All Round
Eachweek, thanks to Cryo, we look back at a significant moment in our rich history.Today, a milestone day and a big win over our NZ rivals.
AN HISTORIC DAY ALL ROUND
It wasone of the most memorable days in Newtown’s most recent history.
On aglorious winter’s day in 2017, the 6,000-plus people who streamed through thegates at Henson Park were not only treated to an afternoon of Beer, Footy &Food but they also got to be part of a very special day in the career of one ofthe Jets’ finest.
You see,the second Beer, Footy & Food Festival happened to fall on the same daythat long-serving hooker Kurt Kara played his 150th game in the royal blue, andit was more than fitting that there was a massive crowd on hand to see him leadthe Jets to a crushing 38-12 win over his hometown team, the New ZealandWarriors.
Cominginto this game, the Jets were very much the underdogs. After an inconsistentstart to the year, the Bluebags sat 10th on the table, the Warriors, on theother hand, sat second. However, it was the Jets who got the festivitiesunderway, when flying winger Edrick Lee crossed in the South Western cornerafter just three minutes.
10minutes later, hooker Adam Clydesdale crossed from dummy-half to give the Jetsa 10-0 lead. By halftime, this lead had ballooned to 28-0, thanks in no smallpart, to former USA international Joseph Paulo, who contributed a try, fourgoals and numerous assists during the opening half.
Thehigh-flying Jets continued on their merry way during the second stanza withReubenn Rennie regathering a kick to score in the 55th minute. 10 minuteslater, big Sam Tagatese crashed over beside the posts, giving the milestone manKara the opportunity to take an easy conversion, which he nailed.
Trailing38-0, the Warriors finally got on the board in the 68th-minute courtesy of atry to Taniela Palavi and while Manaia Cherrington scored their second soonafter, by this point, the horse had well and truly bolted.
To capoff a truly memorable day, Kara was honoured post-game with a mass Hakaperformed by members of his family (his Whanau), as well as both Jets andWarriors players of Maori heritage.
“To knowthe history of this club (Newtown) and all the greats that have come through .. . this is probably the biggest achievement of my career,” Kara saidpost-match.
“Thebuild-up has been unreal, I’m just so overwhelmed.”
To reliveKurt’s special haka, check out this video, and don’t forget that we’ll be holding the fourth Beer,Footy & Food Festival on Saturday 27 July during our game againstCanterbury-Bankstown at Henson Park.
Newtown38 (S.Tagataese 2, E.Lee, A.Clydsdale, L.Higgins, J.Paulo, R.Rennie tries;Paulo 4, K.Kara goals) def. New Zealand Warriors 12 (M.Cherrington, T.Palavitries; J.Pauga 2 goals)
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Photo: Mario Facchini, mafphotography
