Newtown’s durable utility forward Kurt Kara takes on the Mounties defence last Saturday. Photo: Gary Sutherland Photography
Newtown’s durable utility forward Kurt Kara takes on the Mounties defence last Saturday. Photo: Gary Sutherland Photography

Jets dominant for most of game, but beaten on final siren

Report on the 23rd round ISP NSW match between Newtown and Mounties, played at Aubrey Keech Reserve on Saturday, 13th August 2016 by Glen ‘Bumper’ Dwyer.

The Newtown Jets had the incentive of possibly moving into the competition’s top four when they played the Intrust Super Premiership frontrunners Mounties last Saturday. The Mounties were in turn motivated by the chance to lock in the 2016 minor premiership title.

The Jets turned on what was described as “their best first thirty-nine minutes of the season” when they ran up a 16-0 lead, only to concede a converted try in the final seconds of the first half. Newtown winger Jacob Gagan, back-rower Anthony Moraitis and Samoan international halfback Fa’amanu Brown had scored Newtown’s tries, with in-form second-rower Kurt Capewell landing two conversions. The Jets marred their strong first half performance by kicking out on the full, giving away a penalty and then having Mounties score from a kick into Newtown’s in-goal right on half-time.

Newtown had the better of the third quarter with Capewell adding a penalty goal, followed by Moraitis scoring his second try. Capewell’s conversion from the sideline gave the Jets a 24-6 lead in the 53rd minute. The momentum of the game clearly swung when Mounties scored from an intercept five minutes later, followed up by two more converted tries in quick succession later in the second half. With the scores tied at 24-all, the Jets mounted a last-ditch attack with two minutes left, and after some scrambling play Gagan scored his second try. Newtown then failed to close the game down effectively in the last moments and they paid a devastating price. Mounties gained possession and scored a ninety-metre try which was converted, giving the Canberra Raiders partnership club a last gasp 30-28 win. The Mounties are certainly the great escape artists of the competition, having overhauled a 28-6 points deficit against Wests Tigers two rounds ago.

Jets coach Greg Matterson no doubt felt the pain of this loss as much as anyone, and he said there were important lessons in game management to be learned from this defeat. The Newtown players needed to deploy a better kick/chase game, and to learn how to lock down a result effectively. This was an important two points that had been snatched away from the Jets, and the team’s younger players could learn from the gut-wrenching experience.

Matterson praised all of the Newtown forwards, saying they had played tough and had the better of the opposition’s much-vaunted forward pack. He also mentioned young centre Lachlan Stein who continues to impress in this senior grade. Cronulla Sharks Holden Cup centre Keenan Yorston made his senior rugby league debut with Newtown on Saturday and will be much improved from undergoing this baptism of fire.

The Jets return to Henson Park this Saturday, 20th August, to play the North Sydney Bears in the second and deciding leg of the annual Frank Hyde Shield series. This match is always one of the highlights of the Henson Park calendar and is timed for a 3.00pm kick-off. Newtown has to win to stay in contention for a top four finish, while the Bears are embroiled in a four-way struggle for the last two places in the top eight.

Newtown's head coach George Ndaira (left) and Head of Football Greg Matterson are pictured with the 2024 NSWRL Knock-On Effect NSW Cup premiership trophy. George and Greg are both on deck again as the Newtown Jets head into the 2025 NSW Cup season. 
(Photo: Mario Facchini, mafphotography)

Newtown’s first NSW Cup trial game for 2025 is against Penrith at Henson Park on Saturday, 8th February at 4.00pm

This photo of the Newtown RLFC players, staff, Directors and sponsors was taken at Henson Park on the day before the final home game for the 2024 season.  (Photo: Mario Facchini)

The Newtown Jets celebrate what was a magnificent year in the history of Australia’s oldest rugby league club

Newtown Jets 2024 Presentation Night Poster

2024 NEWTOWN RLFC NSW CUP PREMIERS PRESENTATION DINNER & AWARDS NIGHT

Newtown's giant front-rower Tuku Hau Tapuha gets into stride as he carries the ball forward in Sunday's NRL State Championship Final. Photo: Mario Facchini / mafphotography

Second half errors prove costly as the Newtown Jets lose narrowly in the NRL State Championship Final

Barry Vining of the Jets celebrates after the preliminary final of the NSW Cup finals series game between the Newtown Jets and Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs at Leichhardt Oval, Sydney on September 23, 2012. Jets defeated Bulldogs 34-6. (Photo by Jason McCawley)

Vale Barry Noel Vining OAM

Image: Mario Facchini, mafphotography

Newtown Jets Team List v Norths Devils Sun 6th October, 2024 (NRL State Championship)

Australian Mutual Bank
Front of Jersey

Petersham RSL
Back of Jersey

Deicorp
Back of Jersey, Training Gear, Socks

HPH-02

Henson Park Hotel
Chest

John Singleton Group
Sleeve

PHILTER
Shoulder blades, Brewing

Coverforce
Front of Shorts

VIC on the Park
Back of Shorts

Strive Fitness
Gym

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.