Image: Mario Facchini, mafphotography
Image: Mario Facchini, mafphotography

Flashback Friday – Newtown v Penrith 1981

Each week, thanks to Schofield King Lawyers, we bring you a story from our rich history.

According to Rugby League Week, it was a game “that was played like a tense grand final.”

On Sunday, 26th July, the Jets headed to Penrith Park on the edge of a dream. If they beat the Panthers that afternoon, they would seal their first semi-finals appearance since 1973.

The build-up to the game wasn’t ideal. Four days earlier the Jets had been beaten 19-2 by Cronulla in a bruising Tooth Cup semi-final and had subsequently lost key forwards Geoff Bugden and Steve Blyth. 

The opening half was a tight affair during which points were at a premium. The Panthers lost prop Darryl Brohman to a broken arm after 15 minutes but grabbed the opening try via winger Rod Wright eleven minutes later. The Jets responded almost immediately when John Ferguson slipped a delicious inside pass to Ray Blacklock who scored in the corner to set up a 3-all scoreline at halftime.

The Jets increased their lead in the 54th minute when Phil Sigsworth barged over on the back of an attacking scrum, while dynamite forward Mick Pitman complemented his 30 tackles with a clever try seven minutes later. Penrith gave their fans a glimmer of hope when Craig McMahon scampered over to take the scoreline to 13-8 with 14 minutes remaining, but big Steve Bowden put the result beyond doubt when he crossed in the 78th minute.

After the match, most of the plaudits were directed towards Ferguson and Blacklock who were both electric every time they touched the ball, while Pitman and Col Murphy also attracted plenty of praise for their work in the forwards.

Newtown 18 (R.Blocklock, P.Sigsworth, M.Pitman, S.Bowden tries; Wilson 3 goals) def. Penrith 8 (R.Wright, C.McMahon tries; K.Dann goal)

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Newtown Jets left-edge backrower Kyle Pickering (in possession) about to score at Henson Park on Saturday, 22nd July 2023. Jets fullback Manaia Waitere salutes the crowd after playing a clever role in setting up the try. (Photo: Mario Facchini, mafphotography)

Newtown RLFC 2023 Presentation Dinner Details

July 22, 2023 - Marrickville, New South Wales, Australia, Kyle Pickering of the Newtown Jets scores his second try of the game during Round 21 of the NSWRL Knock On Effect NSW Cup at Henson Park in Marrickville, New South Wales. (Mario Facchini/mafphotography)

Newtown RLFC 2023 Presentation Night Details

Sunday Sun 603

The Other Premiers of 1943

Brad Fearnley takes the ball up.

Jets cruise past Knights in season finale

Tom Melville in his playing days for Newtown.

Tom Melville RIP

Image: MAF Photography

Newtown Jets Team List v Newcastle Knights Sun 27th August 2023

Australian Mutual Bank
Front of Jersey

Petersham RSL
Back of Jersey

Deicorp
Back of Jersey, Training Gear, Socks

Invisi-Gard
Jersey Minor

John Singleton Group
Sleeve

Schofield King Lawyers
Sleeve

Coverforce
Front of Shorts

The Henson
Back of Shorts

Sydney Park Hotel
Back of Shorts

Sports Medicine Institute
Medical Services & Rehabilitation

Label Plus
Major Sponsor

Arista Technologies
Technology Partner

Newtown Jets respect and honour the Traditional Custodians of the Land and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on and that the land area encompassing Henson Park traditionally belonged to the Gadigal people of the Eora nation.