Jets make an impressive start to the trials program

The Newtown Jets returned to the rugby league field for the first time in eleven months, when they played Penrith in a Canterbury Cup trial match at St Marys Leagues Stadium on Saturday evening.

Light rain fell throughout much of the game but despite the slippery conditions, this was a good standard rugby league trial match that enabled head coach Greg Matterson to get a good look at his prospective players. This trial was played in two forty-minute halves, with breaks at the twenty-minute mark in each half.

Both teams defended well on their own lines and tries were at a premium. Penrith scored an unconverted try in the 18^th minute, but Newtown led 6-4 at the half-time break. Second-rower Bronson Garlick crashed over in the 35^th minute and halfback Wyndham Peachey added the extras. Both the Jets and Panthers team management made extensive changes to their playing line-ups at half-time.

Newtown extended their lead when big prop Caleb Uele scored early in the second half and livewire fullback Honeti Tuha landed the conversion.

Penrith forced their way back into the game with a converted try in the 59^th minute, but second-rower D’Rhys Miller put the Jets in a strong position when he ran onto a clever short kick and scored under the southern end goal posts, eight minutes out from full-time. Honeti Tuha’s conversion completed the scoring, with Newtown winning this very useful trial match by 18-10.

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Newtown 18: (Bronson Garlick, Caleb Uele, D’Rhys Miller tries; Honeti Tuha 2, Wyndham Peachey goals) def. Penrith 10: (two tries, goal).

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Newtown’s team was:
Tyla Tamou, Jono Tufuga (ex-Sharks), Tyrone Phillips, Dylan O’Connor (ex-Souths), Edward Aiono (ex-Mounties), Wyatt Rangi (ex-Point Chevalier, NZ), Wyndham Peachey (ex-Tugun Seahawks), Brock Gray (ex-Sydney Roosters), Zac Woolford, Kurt Dillon (ex-Sharks and Souths), Bronson Garlick (ex-Souths), Tom Caughlan (ex-Sharks), Duwanye Mariner (ex-Raiders and Glebe Dirty Reds).

Interchange:
Brock Ilett, Eli Roberts (ex-Wentworthville), Joshua Delailoa (ex-Sharks), Cayleb Uele (ex-Glenora, NZ), Moung Dut (ex-Orange CYMS, Canterbury Bulldogs and Souths), Jonah Ngaronoa, Ethan Natoli (Glebe Dirty Reds), Sione Afemui (ex-Queanbeyan Blues, Parramatta), Honeti Tuha (ex-Knights, Wentworthville, Glebe Dirty Reds), Jackson Stewart (ex-Cronulla Sharks), Benton Leme (ex-PNG, Corrimal), Josh Natoli (ex-Glebe Dirty Reds), Jackson Garlick, Joe Barber (ex-Cessnock), D’Rhys Miller (ex-Wentworthville, North Sydney, Fijian RL international), Shaquille Mariner.

Coach: Greg Matterson.

Manager: Sam Mavrovelis.

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Penrith’s team was:
Jake Toby, Ethan Clark-Wood, Ray Lesoa, Luke Nadurutalo, Jake Tago, Adam Fearnley, Kurt Falls, Anton Iaria, Soni Luke, Alec Susino, Arthur Crichton, John Faiumu, Matt Stimson.

Interchange:
Joe Tramontana, Meni Luke, Billy Tsikrikas, John Trimboli, Daniel Brown, Uenuku Melesala, Zac Ryan, Luke Geary, Trent Toelau, Zac Greene, Sam McGregor.

Coach: Peter Wallace.

Manager: Charlie Vella.

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Newtown’s next trial match details:

Opponents: Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles v Newtown Jets

Date: Saturday, 20^th February 2021

Venue: H.E. Laybutt Stadium (221 Walters Rd, Arndell Park NSW)
Kick-Off: 6.00pm.

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Report compiled by Glen Dwyer