Jets

KOE NSW Cup Round 11

Saturday 17th May 2025

3pm

 HENSON PARK

Canberra Raiders 2024 220
Young Newtown Jets backrower Kenny Niko made an impressive debut with the club against Wentworthville at Henson Park last Saturday. Photo: Gary Sutherland Photography
Young Newtown Jets backrower Kenny Niko made an impressive debut with the club against Wentworthville at Henson Park last Saturday. Photo: Gary Sutherland Photography

Jets to face off against competition leaders next Saturday

The Newtown Jets registered their biggest home-game winning margin in eight years when they defeated Wentworthville 54-6 at Henson Park last Saturday. This home-game occasion was also notable for the Latin American Rugby League extravaganza held earlier on the day, with six different Central American and South American nations on show. Old Henson Park, now in its 80th year as a Rugby League ground, has never known such a dramatic influx of Hispanic flamboyance.

Jets supporters might have admitted to some trepidation prior to their team’s game against the Parramatta Eels feeder club last Saturday. Newtown was coming off a three-week enforced layoff, having had a scheduled bye followed by a postponed fixture due to wet weather. The Jets took the initiative early against the Wenty Magpies, scoring a converted try in the second minute and then adding four more to go in at the half-time break with a 26-0 lead.

The Newtown team was clearly on a mission and never let Wentworthville back into the contest in the second half. Left-side centre Jordan Drew and winger Travis Robinson each scored three tries, while backrower Kurt Capewell, fullback and captain Mitch Brown, halfback Fa’amanu (Nu) Brown and five-eighth Jaline Graham were also among the try-scorers. Nu Brown converted seven of the tries, with several of his successful goal-kicks being from out wide. Wenty scored a converted try in the last minute of play, with Newtown’s 54-6 win being their biggest winning margin at Henson Park since 2008.

Head coach Greg Matterson and his staff were naturally satisfied with the team’s overall performance, but conceded that their opponents weren’t anywhere near full strength. Matterson made mention of the strong form shown by two of the squad’s youngest members, big forwards Harrison Muller and Kenny Niko (who was on debut with the Jets). Newtown has maintained a relatively stable squad thus far in the ISP NSW competition, and depth in playing strength is going to be a crucial factor in the team’s performance in the second half of the competition.

Newtown’s back three in Mitch Brown and wingers Travis Robinson and Jacob Gagan all played strongly, while former Brisbane Bronco Jordan Drew was once again a real handful for the opposition. Nu Brown showcased his extensive set of skills, and forwards Kurt Kara, Jason Schirnack, Malakai Houma and Matt McIlwrick were all prominent on a day when the Newtown pack dominated their opponents.

In the curtain-raiser internationals, Ecuador defeated Colombia in a Sevens match, Uruguay outpointed Peru in the Nines, while Chile beat El Salvador 58-20 in what was the inaugural full-scale Latin American Rugby League international.

The Newtown Jets are now in third place on the ISP NSW competition table, and they are going into one of this season’s marquee occasions when they meet the current competition leaders, the New Zealand Warriors, at Henson Park this Saturday, 18th June at 3.00pm. The Warriors, under the coaching of Kiwi Rugby League legend Stacey Jones, are coming off seven successive wins. The New Zealanders defeated Newtown 20-18 when the teams met back in Round Three at Mt Smart Stadium.

Image: Harrison Tse

Newtown Jets Team List v Canberra Raiders Sat 17th May, 2025

Ron Sigsworth in action against the North Sydney Bears at Henson Park on Monday 13th June 1983. Ron scored a try in the 16 all draw.

Vale Ron Sigsworth

Terry Welsh was in Newtown's 1974 NSWRL Reserve Grade premiership-winning squad. 
He is third in from the right in the front row.  (Photo: Newtown RLFC)

Vale Terry Welsh

The Newtown Jets bring down a Parramatta Eels player in Saturday's match at Henson Park.  Photo: Daniel Cabrita.

Newtown Jets errors and poor discipline punished by the Parramatta Eels

Image: Harrison Tse

Newtown Jets Team List v St George Illawarra Dragons Sun 11th May 2025 (NSWRL Magic Round / Tom Kirk Cup)

Number 13 in the Newtown Jets jersey is Hohepa Puru, who has been in great form in the midfield with the Newtown Jets since transferring from the Canberra Raiders. (Photo: Harrison Tse).

The fired-up Wests Magpies make the Jets work hard for their win

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.