Newtown Jets forwards Malakai Houma (left) and Jimmy Jolliffe wrap up this St George-Illawarra player at Panthers Stadium on Sunday. Photo: Mario Facchini, mafphotography
Newtown Jets forwards Malakai Houma (left) and Jimmy Jolliffe wrap up this St George-Illawarra player at Panthers Stadium on Sunday. Photo: Mario Facchini, mafphotography

Jets narrowly beaten in high-scoring Qualifying Final

The Newtown Jets were narrowly beaten 28-26 by St George-Illawarra in the Intrust Super Premiership Qualifying Final played at Panthers Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The teams were locked together 16-all at halftime, with Newtown’s three tries being scored by winger Matt Evans (2) and second-rower Briton Nikora.

Jets in-form five-eighth Jack A. Williams left the field early in the second half with a leg injury, and Matt Evans was also forced from the field just minutes later.

The Dragons kicked a penalty goal soon after half-time but Newtown struck back with well-constructed tries to centre Reubenn Rennie and fullback Will Kennedy. The Jets led 26-18 with 12 minutes left to play, but critical handling errors and missed tackles at the back end of the game proved costly.

St George-Illawarra pulled back to trail 26-24 seven minutes out from fulltime, and then were awarded a most controversial try in the 77th minute that gave them a two-point lead.

Forwards Briton Nikora, Jimmy Jolliffe and Blayke Brailey were rated as being three of Newtown’s best players on the day.

The Jets must now regroup and get ready for next Saturday’s elimination semi-final against Mounties.

Here are the details for next Saturday’s match:

NSWRL Intrust Super Premiership NSW – Elimination Semi-final

Saturday, 8th September 2018

UOW Jubilee Oval (Kogarah Oval)

Newtown v Mounties

Kick-Off: 1.10pm.

Sunday’s Qualifying Final details were:

St George-Illawarra 28:

Shaun Sauni-Esau 2, Reuben Garrick, Adam Clune, Patrick Herbert tries;

Darren Nicholls 4 goals

defeated

Newtown 26:

Matt Evans 2, Briton Nikora, Will Kennedy, Reubenn Rennie tries;

Kyle Flanagan 3 goals.

Half-Time: 16-all.

Referee: Damian Briscoe

Touch Judges: Liam Nicholls and Jake Sutherland

In-Goal: Damian Brady and Clayton Wills.

Playing surface at Panthers Stadium: Excellent.

Weather: 16 degrees Celsius, sharp breeze.

Newtown’s team was:

Will Kennedy, Matt Evans, Aaron Gray, Reubenn Rennie, Sione Katoa, Jack A. Williams, Kyle Flanagan, Wes Lolo, Blayke Brailey, Ava Seumanufagai, Briton Nikora, Anthony Moraitis, Jaimin Jolliffe.

Interchange: Billy Magoulias, Addison Demetriou, Malakai Houma, Matthew Jurd.

Coach: Greg Matterson.

St George-Illawarra:

Patrick Herbert, John Tohi, Reuben Garrick, Steve Marsters, Shaun Sauni-Esau, Jai Field, Darren Nicholls, Pio Sokobalavu, Reece Robson, Mitchell Allgood, Jackson Ford, Jacob Host, Hame Sele.

Interchange: Joe Lovodua, Damien Sironen, Josh Kerr, Adam Clune.

Coach: Mat Head.

Hard-running centre Nene Macdonald played on numerous occasions for the Newtown Jets in 2021.  Last Sunday Nene was playing for Papua-New Guinea against the Cook Islands in the 2023 Pacific Championships - Pacific Bowl and he scored four tries. (Photo: Mike Magee).

Information about 2024 Newtown RLFC memberships; Newtown Jets playing in the 2023 Pacific Championship Series; and a reminder about Newtown RLFC merchandise.

Kyle Pickering and Daniel Atkinson, Italian rugby league representative team, 7th October 2023 (NSWRL Twitter) crop

These Newtown Jets players have gained selection in various end of season representative rugby league teams

Newtown Jets 2023 Presentation Night bottom image for web post

The Newtown Jets RLFC held its Annual Presentation Dinner on the evening of Friday, 29th September 2023 at the Petersham RSL Club.

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

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.