Final NSW Cup trial match brings dividends for the Jets

Report, game details and photos from the NSW Cup Rugby League trial match, played between Wests Tigers and Newtown at Campbelltown Sports Stadium on Saturday, 20th February 2016 by Glen ‘Bumper’ Dwyer.

The Newtown Jets lost their NSW Cup trial match against Wests Tigers 18-12 at Campbelltown Sports Stadium on Saturday evening. This was a spirited encounter, and was the first occasion that the Jets own pool of trialists had combined with the Cronulla Sharks full-time squad members.

Jets head coach Greg Matterson was pleased with the overall dividends from the trial, and saw it as a good opportunity for new combinations and understanding to be developed. Wests Tigers scored four tries to three, with two of their tries coming from runaway efforts after the Jets had been on the attack at the Tigers end of the field. Newtown’s tries were scored by winger Corin Smith, centre Jordan Drew and halfback Arana Taumata, with all three tries involving crisp handling skills and perceptiveness.

The match was played in humid conditions with several heavy showers falling during the game. The rain undoubtedly had some effect on the players’ handling but coach Matterson was not impressed with the amount of possession turned over by the Newtown boys. There were also some overly-adventurous passes that put paid to several Jets attacking raids.

Overall it was a good standard and well-contested trial with both sides displaying strong on-line defence. All the Newtown trialists received plenty of game time to press their selection claims, and there were a number of positive indicators shown with the opening NSW Cup competition round less than two weeks away.

There were some impressive performances on Saturday evening, especially from some of the Cronulla Sharks extended NRL squad members. Centre Jordan Drew, formerly with the Brisbane Broncos and a Junior Kangaroos representative, powered his way over for a second-half try in which he shrugged off three very determined Wests Tigers defenders. Hooker Fa’amanu Brown was returning from a long lay-off through injury and displayed silky ball-handling skills. Second-rower Kurt Capewell, a member of last year’s all-conquering Ipswich Jets National Championship winning team, looks to be the tough customer from central casting. Experienced prop Jesse Sene-Lefao, formerly with Penrith and Manly-Warringah and a Samoan international, worked hard up the middle and the young giant Harrison Muller, previously with the Roosters and Sharks Holden Cup squads, looks to be a player of great promise.

Head coach Matterson expects that Newtown’s team for the opening round of the 2016 NSW Cup competition will come together well at training over the next two weeks. The Jets take on Canterbury-Bankstown at Henson Park on Saturday, 5th March, at 3.00pm.

BREAKING NEWS: Paul Gallen has been confirmed as a special guest for the 2016 Newtown Jets season launch.

The Newtown RLFC 2016 Season Launch is on Tuesday, 1st March 2016:

Venue: Petersham RSL Club

Time: 7.00pm for 7.30pm

Special guests are: Laurie Daley (NSW State of Origin Coach), David Trodden (NSWRL CEO), Shane Flanagan (Cronulla Sharks NRL Head Coach), Lyall Gorman (Cronulla Sharks CEO), and Paul Gallen (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, NSW State of Origin and Australia).

Entertainment: Steve Philp from the Footy Show and a regular at the acclaimed Sydney Comedy Festival.

Tickets: $125 per head or $1200 for a table of ten.

RSVP: Wednesday, 24th February 2016.

MC: Graeme Hughes.

Live and silent auctions on the night!

The Newtown Jets 2016 Rally Day is on this Saturday, 27th February from 2.00pm to 5.00pm at the VIC on the Park Hotel (2 Addison Road, Marrickville):

This will be a terrific opportunity for Newtown supporters of all ages to meet up with the Jets of 2016, and to have stacks of fun into the bargain.

The afternoon will include Pass the Ball & Impossible Basketball shot competitions; a spit roast (free for 2016 Jets members); Ice Cream Joe’s Mr Whippy; plus face painting for the little ones as well as old Newtown game footage on the big screen and DJ’s kicking out some great tunes. The ever-popular Jetman and Syd the Pig will also both be there. Unfortunately the jumping castle is a late withdrawal.

There will be a Jets merchandise stand where you can pick up the coolest rugby league attire in the nation as well as sign up for a season membership.

We’ll also have some great raffles & prizes to giveaway throughout the afternoon and you can also enjoy the great menu on offer at The VIC on the Park which will be open all day for meals, or to get a drink at the bar.

Last Saturday’s NSW Cup trial match at Campbelltown Stadium provided plenty of positives for both clubs. The game was played in humid conditions that were interspersed with several heavy showers. Wests Tigers led 10-4 at halftime and were ahead 18-12 at fulltime (having scored four tries to three).

Newtown’s team was:

Jaline Graham, Mitch Brown, Jordan Drew, Matt Evans, Jacob Gagan, Josh Cleeland, Arana Taumata, Matt McIlwrick, Anthony Moraitis, Kurt Capewell, Junior Roqica, Jesse Sene-Lefao, Fa’amanu Brown.

Bench: Myles Taueli, Kurt Kara, Jason Schirnack, Malakai Houma, Corin Smith, Brent Anderson, Harrison Muller. Coach: Greg Matterson.

Wests Tigers:

Watson Heleta, Josh Addo-Carr, Nathan Milone, Michael Chee-Kam, Chance Peni, Jeremy Marshall-King, Josh Drinkwater, Dallas Graham, Jacob Liddle, JJ Felise, Tyler Cassel, Asipeli Fine, Rod Griffin.

Bench: Billy McConnachie, Lamar Liolevave, Jordan Grant, Wesley Lolo, Jackson Williams, John Tohi, Matt Eisenhuth, Andy Fiagatusa, Billy Tsikrikas. Coach: Paul Stringer.

Wests Tigers 18:

Josh Addo-Carr 2 tries (scored in the 17th and 23rd minutes), Watson Heleta (42nd minute), Michael Chee-Kam (52nd minute);

Josh Drinkwater 1 goal

defeated

Newtown 12:

Corin Smith try (30th minute), Jordan Drew (58th minute), AJ Taumata (75th minute).

Half-Time: Wests Tigers led 10-4.

Here’s some information on the Cronulla Sharks contracted players who turned out with the Jets for the first time on Saturday:

Jordan Drew: 21; centre/winger; 95 kgs. Junior clubs: Nanango Stags (Qld), Toowoomba Grammar School 1st XV: Queensland Under 20’s 2015; Junior Kangaroos 2015; member of the NYC team of the year 2015; Brisbane Broncos 2013 to 2015; made his NRL debut with the Broncos in 2013.

Kurt Capewell: 22; 93 kgs; second-row/lock/centre. Junior clubs: Charleville, North Ipswich Tigers; member of the highly-acclaimed Ipswich Jets National Rugby League State Championship winning team of 2015.

Josh Cleeland: 24; 95 kgs; five-eighth. Junior clubs: West End Bulldogs (Ipswich); member of the highly-acclaimed Ipswich Jets National Rugby League State Championship winning team of 2015.

Anthony Moraitis: 20; 102 kgs. Junior club: Gymea Gorillas. Second-row/centre; Cronulla Sharks NYC 2015. Anthony is the grandson of Nick Moraitis, the highly-successful businessman and the owner of the famous Might and Power.

Fa’amanu Brown: 21; 95 kgs; hooker, halfback, five-eighth. Junior clubs: Hornby Panthers (Christchurch) and De La Salle Caringbah; New Zealand Under 17’s representative in 2011; Cronulla Sharks NYC 2012-2014; played 11 NRL games with the Sharks in 2014; missed most of the 2015 season through injury.

Matt McIlwrick: 24; 90 kgs; hooker, lock. Junior club: Halswell Hornets (Christchurch). Previous NRL clubs: Canberra Raiders 2012-2014; Sydney Roosters 2015. Has played 27 NRL games in total.

Jesse Sene-Lefao: 27; 108 kgs; prop/second-row/lock. Junior clubs: Porirua City (Wellington, NZ), Penrith Waratahs. Has represented Samoa in Test matches and in the Four Nations tournaments. Played with the Penrith Panthers and the Windsor Wolves, and then with Manly-Warringah from 2013 to 2015. Played 38 NRL games with the Sea Eagles.

Gary Sutherland’s photos from the Campbelltown Sports Stadium on Saturday evening: http://www.pbase.com/gsphotography/newtown_vs_westtigers_trial_200216&page=all

Mario Facchini’s photos from the Wests Tigers v Newtown NSW Cup trial: http://mafphotography.blogspot.com.au/2016/02/vb-nsw-cup-trial-match-2016-wests.html