Jets

KOE NSW Cup Round 16

FRANK HYDE SHIELD

Sunday 22nd June 2025

3pm

 NORTH SYDNEY OVAL

Norths 2024 220
Newtown Jets fullback Nathan Gardner cuts through the Newcastle Knights defensive line at Kurri last Saturday.

Photo: Gary Sutherland Photography
Newtown Jets fullback Nathan Gardner cuts through the Newcastle Knights defensive line at Kurri last Saturday. Photo: Gary Sutherland Photography

Jets get close to victory in Kurri

Last Saturday’s second round NSW Cup match at Kurri was another occasion where the Newtown Jets were right in the contest, only to be denied the result in the game’s latter stages. The Newcastle Knights led 16-6 at halftime but Newtown came right back into the game trailing by 20-16 with less than ten minutes left to play. Two late tries to the Knights ensured last year’s Grand Finalists a 32-16 victory.

There was plenty of history on show at the well-appointed Kurri Kurri Bulldogs home ground. The Newcastle Knights have a commendable policy of taking most of their stand-alone NSW Cup home fixtures to the home grounds of the various Newcastle Rugby League district clubs. The grandstand at the Kurri ground is named after their famous local product John Sattler, and it is also the Rugby League ground where Newtown product Johnny Raper ended his distinguished playing career as captain-coach of the Kurri Bulldogs club back in 1974.

Saturday’s Jets-Knights match had similar playing trends to Newtown’s first round loss to Wests Tigers. The Knights had a bigger share of possession in the first half and poor execution by the Jets’ outside backs and conceding penalties gave the Novocastrians plenty of first-half attacking opportunities. Other errors such as not finding the line from a penalty kick and dropping the ball on the first tackle further contributed to Newtown’s difficulties.

Newtown fought back well in the second half and when they trailed 20-16 with sixteen minutes left to play, the game was there for the Jets to win. Coach Greg Matterson commented that this had been another winnable game and the Jets need to collectively develop a tougher, more ruthless mindset to come from behind and ensure themselves a favourable result. The Knights were a good enough side to take full advantage of Newtown’s errors at critical stages of the game.

The Jets coaching staff rated Tim Robinson, Ray Moujalli and Kurt Kara as the best of the forwards, with Blake Ayshford and Todd Murphy the best in the backline division.

The Newtown Jets face another tough opponent by way of the in-form defending premiers Penrith Panthers next Saturday, 21st March, at the Pepper Stadium (Penrith), commencing at 3.00pm.

Image: Harrison Tse

Newtown Jets Team List v North Sydney Bears (Frank Hyde Shield) Sun 22nd June 2025

Dick Poole, the captain-coach of the undefeated Australian Rugby League World Cup team in 1957, is chaired from the SCG by Australian team-mates (from left to right): Kel O'Shea, Brian Clay, Norm Provan and Ken McCaffery. (NSWRL Media).

Farewell to the great Dick Poole

Jets backrower Blake Hosking powers through the Warriors defence to score in the first half on Saturday.  Photo: Mario Facchini/mafphotography

The Jets narrowly beaten in hard-fought tussle with the top of the table Warriors

The Newtown Jets might have been off their game on Saturday, but they still retained the Tom Raudonikis Cup for 2025 by virtue of their better points for and against over the two games played against Western Suburbs this season. Glen Warner from the Australian Mutual Bank (one of the Newtown Jets best sponsors) is holding the trophy. Photo: Mario Facchini/mafphotography

Newtown Jets turn on a lacklustre performance in shock loss to Western Suburbs

Image: Harrison Tse

Newtown Jets Team List v Warriors Sat 7th June, 2025

Newtown second-rower Dylan Coutts (in the middle of the photo) is congratulated by his Jets team-mates after scoring in Saturday night's game against the Sydney Roosters. Coutts scored two tries in his debut appearance in the NSW Cup competition. (Photo: Mario Facchini / mafphotography)

The Jets surge back into winning form with a huge victory against the Sydney Roosters

Australian Mutual Bank
Front of Jersey

Petersham RSL
Back of Jersey

Deicorp
Back of Jersey, Training Gear, Socks

Eclectic 365
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

Henson Park Hotel
Back of Shorts

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.