Jets

KOE NSW Cup Round 16

FRANK HYDE SHIELD

Sunday 22nd June 2025

3pm

 NORTH SYDNEY OVAL

Norths 2024 220
Newtown’s Arana Taumata (number 18) gets his pass away to Jets team-mate Kurt Kara with plenty of North Sydney Bears traffic around them, and the famed Henson Park hill in the background. Photo: Michael Magee Photography
Newtown’s Arana Taumata (number 18) gets his pass away to Jets team-mate Kurt Kara with plenty of North Sydney Bears traffic around them, and the famed Henson Park hill in the background. Photo: Michael Magee Photography

Jets move into top four with narrow win against Norths

Report on the 24th Round ISP NSW match between Newtown and North Sydney, played at Henson Park on Saturday, 20th August 2016 by Glen ‘Bumper’ Dwyer.

The Newtown Jets featured in yet another nerve-wracking Intrust Super Premiership finish, but this time they claimed the competition points. The Jets defeated North Sydney 16-12 at Henson Park last Saturday, after the Bears had led 6-4 at half-time. The match was also the decider in the annual Frank Hyde Shield series contested by the two 1908 foundation clubs. Several members of Frank Hyde’s family were on hand to present the trophy to the victorious Jets.

Winning this match was important for both clubs, with the Jets aiming at a top four finish and the Bears fighting for a place in the ISP NSW top eight. Norths showed more grit and determination in the first half, kicking a penalty goal in the 14th minute and then scoring an unconverted try five minutes later. The Jets didn’t get on to the score-board until three minutes from half-time when five-eighth Josh Cleeland scored a determined try to the right of the northern end goal posts. The try wasn’t converted and Norths led 6-4 at the break, despite Newtown having had the advantage of a brisk southerly breeze and more possession and field position than the Bears.

Jets coach Greg Matterson made it abundantly clear to his players at half-time that this win had to be earned and he demanded bigger contributions from some of his key men and play-makers.

Norths increased their lead to 10-4 at the 52nd minute mark and the Jets now had their work cut out to retrieve this result. Josh Cleeland grubber kicked into the Bears’ in-goal in the 59th minute and strong winger Jacob Gagan did really well under pressure to secure the ball and ground it safely for a critical try. Halfback Fa’amanu Brown converted from wide out and kicking into the wind to tie the scores up at 10-all.

The last twenty minutes of the game were extremely tense and kept the big crowd fully engaged. Newtown edged ahead 12-10 through a 70th minute penalty goal, but the Bears responded in kind four minutes later and it was 12-all. Norths missed two field-goal attempts in the last five minutes, one of which shaved the left-hand upright. With one last supreme effort the Jets worked the ball downfield, and Gagan scored his second try when he won the race to ground Arana Taumata’s grubber-kick inside Norths in-goal in the 79th minute.

Coach Matterson noted that the bigger Jets forwards had been dominated in the rucks for most of the game, and that Norths had been successful in slowing down Newtown’s play the balls. Despite the Jets’ surplus of possession there hadn’t been much variety in attack to prise open the Bears’ defence. Jacob Gagan was the man of the match with his two well-taken tries and strong relieving runs from his own end of the field.

Next Saturday, 27th August, is a big day on the Newtown Jets calendar with the annual club reunion being held at Henson Park. The Jets host Manly-Warringah in the final round of the ISP NSW competition, with this 25th round fixture timed to kick off 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.