Jets narrowly beaten in opening trial game

The Newtown Jets and North Sydney Bears turned on an entertaining game in their Intrust Super Premiership trial match played at Wentworth Park on Sunday evening (17^th February).

The Bears won 18-16 after leading 12-8 at half-time. The Jets pulled back to within two points with just three minutes left to play, but the conversion attempt taken from wide out brushed outside of the left-hand upright. Newtown scored four tries to three in total and both teams, while well below full strength, showed plenty of inventiveness with the football and both sets of forwards put in sustained defensive efforts.

In the second of two curtain-raisers staged as part of an annual return to Wentworth Park day, Glebe defeated North Sydney 28-12 in a Ron Massey Cup trial match. In the opening curtain-raiser, Ryde-Eastwood defeated Sydney University 40-22 in a Sydney Shield trial match.

Newtown’s next Intrust Super Premiership trial match is against Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles at the Southern Cross Group Stadium (Woolooware) next Saturday, 23^rd February at 5.05pm.

Match details:

North Sydney 18:

Kieran Moss 2, Brock Lamb tries;

Brock Lamb 2, Honeti Tuha goals

defeated

Newtown 16:

Ben Jones, Chris Tupou, Pio Nakubuwai, Tyla Tamou tries.

Half-time: North Sydney led 12-8.

Newtown’s team for this trial match was:

Fullback: Tyla Tamou

Wingers: Chris Tupou, Jalen Reweti

Centres: Pio Nakubuwai, Matt Evans

Halves: Ben Jackson, Ben Jones

Lock: Royce Tout

Second-rowers: Siosifa Talakai, Anthony Moraitis

Front-rowers: Matthew Jurd, Wes Lolo

Hooker: Jai Bowen.

Reserves:

Brock Pelligra, Brandon Luamanu, Latrell Schaumkel, Nick Casson, Sam Latu

JP Hannawe, Issac Prokopyo, Latrell Robinson, Ryan Turner, Jay Seymour

TJ McLean, Jay Wanigolo, Jordon Chong-Jun, Kyle McLean.

North Sydney:

Fullback: Kieran Moss

Wingers: Nick O’Meley, Kenneth Koro

Centres: Ed Murphy, James Tuitahi

Halves: Drew Hutchison, Brock Lamb

Lock: Max Bailey

Second-rowers: Josh Curran, Tom Fairbairn

Front-rowers: Stefano Hala, John Tuivaiti

Hooker: Sam Verrills.

Reserves:

Brad Dietz, Fletcher Baker, Jerry Key, Ben Mathiou, Kurtis Preece

Blake Goodman, Curtis Johnston, Honeti Tuha, Lennox Whittaker

Will Lawson, Sean Sabutey, Mason McCarthy, John Mitsias.