Newtown Jets now face a battle to remain in the top five

The final five hopes of the Newtown Jets are still in the balance, after the Jets were beaten 26-16 by Penrith at Henson Park last Saturday.

Forecasts of wet weather throughout the preceding week reduced the crowd at Saturday’s match, which was also the occasion of the Newtown Jets annual club reunion day.

Newtown retained the Ken Wilson-Ray Blacklock Cup, thanks to the Jets marginally better points for and against from the two games played between Newtown and Penrith in 2025.

The Jets began the game in a disappointing manner, conceding an early penalty and then allowing Penrith to score a converted try in the second minute of play. The Panthers were obviously primed to preserve their place in the top five and they began the game with considerable energy and determination. Penrith had reportedly prepared for this game by getting ready to counter Newtown’s attacking style and key players.

The first twenty minutes of the game belonged to Penrith but a tremendous midfield break by the Jets prop Max Bradbury took the play well into Panthers territory. A six-again call to the Jets gave the home side their first opportunity to attack Penrith’s line. Newtown’s big prop Tuku Hau Tapuha wrestled his way through several Penrith defenders to plant the ball down under the southern end goal posts.

Penrith took the play back to Newtown’s end where winger Kristian Dixon prevented an almost certain Panthers try when he knocked down a cut-out pass with an attempted intercept.

The Panthers again made use of their strong left-side attack and created an overlap for their second try, with several Jets defenders left scattered on the ground. Just like their first try, the Panthers second foray featured strong running, quick hands and accurate passing.

Penrith took advantage of a penalty to get down to Newtown’s end again, where they scored to the left of the goal posts with another surge of clever offloads and safe handling.

The Panthers took a 16-6 lead into halftime, after having taken control of the game in the last ten minutes of the first half. In fact, they were on the attack again in the 39th minute, with an adventurous cut-out pass that might have led to another try.

Newtown began the second half in determined fashion, making some good ground through the middle. Backrower Kyle Pickering showed good footwork and acceleration to make an exciting midfield break. Niwhai Puru then combined with Jayden Berrell, whose precise grubber-kick was grounded in-goal by Michael Gabrael for a try to Newtown. There was no doubting that Gabrael had grounded the ball safely, although Penrith players protested strongly against referee Wells’ decision.

The Panthers attacked Newtown’s line on several occasions and broke through by using quick hands and determined running to create an overlap for another try, the third on their left side. They added another try just minutes later when the Panthers gathered in a loose ball from a high kick that wasn’t defused by the Jets defenders.

Heavy rain started to fall and trailing by sixteen points with just over ten minutes left to play created a grim outlook for Newtown. The Jets fought on and Niwhai Puru’s grubber kick into the in-goal was touched down by Kristian Dixon. Tuku Hau Tapuha continued to challenge the Panthers through the middle and Gabrael went close to scoring again with just over five minutes remaining.

Newtown made several attempts to score again in the game’s closing stages but Penrith’s defence remained solid. Newtown had fought hard to stay in the contest but Penrith’s three tries through their left edge attack and their determined on-line defence proved too difficult to overcome.

Jets coach George Ndaira observed that the Jets hadn’t played the best style of football given the conditions. Penrith had come to the inner-west determined to get the points. Newtown had given away penalties that enabled the Panthers to gain ground and get into an attacking position, and the Jets now have a fight on their hands to make the finals.

The Jets play Parramatta at Kellyville Park on Saturday, 16th August with little chance of overhauling Parra’s third place on the competition table in the remaining three rounds. Newtown’s main objective now is focusing on surviving in the top five.

Mawene Hiroti and Sam Stonestreet had been Newtown’s best backs, with the best forwards being Max Bradbury (the Built Smart Solutions Man of the Match), Tuku Hau Tapuha, Jayden Berrell, Kyle Pickering, Jontay-Junior Betham-Misa and Jordin Leiu.

Just repeating the details of Newtown’s match in round 24 of the NSW Cup:

Saturday, 16th August, Kellyville Park, versus Parramatta at 3.00pm. (Livestreamed on BarTV NSWRL).

There will be a Jersey Flegg Cup curtain-raiser played at 1.00pm.

 
Newtown’s game details were:

This was the Newtown Jets Club Reunion Day for 2025.
NSWRL Knock-On Effect NSW Cup
Round 23
Saturday, 9th August 2025
Henson Park
Newtown (4th place, 29 points) v Penrith (5th place, 26 points)
Kick-Off: 3.00pm.
Saturday’s match was livestreamed on BarTV NSWRL
This is also the deciding match for the 2025 Ken Wilson-Ray Blacklock Cup series.

There is a Jersey Flegg Cup curtain-raiser between the Cronulla Sharks and Penrith at Henson Park at 12.30pm.

Weather: 16 degrees, light rain fell in the second half, occasional sunshine.
Playing surface: In relatively good shape considering the rain overnight.

Match Appointments:
Referee: Dillan Wells

Touch Judges: Mitchell Stone and Benjamin Teague.

Match Result:
Penrith 26:
Asu Kepaoa 2, Paul Alamoti,

Riley Price, Jack Cole tries;

Paul Alamoti 3 goals

defeated
Newtown 16:
Tuku Hau Tapuha,

Michael Gabrael, Kristian Dixon tries;

Mawene Hiroti 2 goals.

Half-Time: Penrith led 16-6.

The Teams:

Newtown:
Fullback: Mawene Hiroti

Wingers: Kristian Dixon, Sam Stonestreet
Centres: Chris Vea’ila, Michael Gabrael

Halves: Khaled Rajab, Niwhai Puru
Lock: Jordin Leiu
Second-Rowers: Kyle Pickering, Dylan Coutts
Front-Rowers: Tuku Hau Tapuha, Max Bradbury
Hooker: Jayden Berrell (Captain)

Interchange:
Jontay-Junior Betham-Misa, Sam McCulloch

Riley Jones, Eli Clark

18th Man: Kobie Wilson

Blue Shirt Trainer: Tom Haberecht
Yellow Shirt Trainer: Fletcher Graham
Orange Shirt Trainer: Chris Moubarak

Game Day Doctor: Anna-Maria Frangos-Young.

Coach: George Ndaira.

Penrith:
Fullback: Daine Laurie

Wingers: Jesse McLean, Asu Kepaoa

Centres: Paul Alamoti, John Fonua

Halves: Jack Cole, Trent Toelau
Lock: Billy Phillips

Second-Rowers: Mavrik Geyer, Zac Lipowicz
Front-Rowers: Niko Apelu, Austin Dias
Hooker: Luke Sommerton (Captain)

Interchange:
Riley Price, Soni Luke
Riley Wake, David Fale
18th Man: Zac Clarke

Blue Shirt Trainer: Joe McNicholas
Yellow Shirt Trainer: Shadi Dahdal
Orange Shirt Trainer: Kevin McKinlay
Game Day Doctor: Mark Mousaad

Coach: Ben Harden.

Video Material:

The NSWRL Knock-On Effect NSW Cup || Highlights – Round 23 || Newtown Jets v Penrith Panthers || Henson Park || Saturday, 9th August 2025:
https://www.nswrl.com.au/news/2025/08/09/the-knock-on-effect-nsw-cup-highlights–round-23—jets-v-panthers/

Newtown Jets coach George Ndaira’s post-match comments (Saturday, 9th August 2025):

'We probably just didn't play the right style of the footy considering the conditions.'

In the latest edition of COACH CHAT, George Ndaira explains the reasons behind our loss to Penrith. pic.twitter.com/cRMX99dhQv

— Newtown Jets (@newtownrlfc) August 10, 2025

The NSWRL Knock-On Effect NSW Cup competition table after 23 rounds:
https://www.nswrl.com.au/ladder/?competition=113&round=23&season=2025

A great try to Kristian Dixon against Penrith on Saturday:

Check out the Channel 9 News, Monday, 11th August 2025:

Match Timeline:
First Half:
Newtown kicked off, running to the Sydenham Road end.

2nd minute: Penrith try.

Try converted. Penrith 6-0.

13th minute: Luke Sommerton (Penrith) off – HIA
21st minute: Tuku Hau Tapuha try
Converted by Mawene Hiroti. 6-all.
32nd minute: Penrith try

Not converted. Penrith 10-6
37th minute: Penrith try

Try converted. Penrith 16-6.
Half-Time: Penrith led 16-6.

Second half:
Penrith kicked off to the southern end.
46th minute: Michael Gabrael try.

Not converted. Penrith 16-10.
57th minute: Penrith try.
Not converted. Penrith 20-10.

61st minute: Penrith try.

Try converted. Penrith 26-10.
68th minute: Kristian Dixon try.

Converted by Mawene Hiroti. Penrith 26-16.

Full-Time: Penrith 26 defeated Newtown 16.

Match Statistics:
Newtown Player Statistics:
Most Tackles: Kyle Pickering: 32 tackles
Most metres run: Mawene Hiroti: 167 metres

Most line breaks: Tuku Hau Tapuha: 2 line breaks

Team Statistics:
(Newtown: N; Penrith: P)

Possession: N 53%; P 47%

Time in possession: N 25m30s; P 22m20s

Completion rate: N 84%, 32/38; P 72%, 26/36.

All runs: N 150; P 165

Metres run: N 1235; P 1386

Post-contact Metres: N 516; P 475
Line Breaks: N 3; P 6

Tackle Breaks: n 23; P 39

Average set distance: N 32.5m; P 38.5m

Kick return metres: N 82; P 195
Offloads: N 6, P 9
Receipts: N 378; P 351
Total passes: N 209; P 195

Dummy passes: N 1; P 32
Kicks: N 21; P 15
Kicking metres: N 458; P 372

Forced Drop Outs: N 2, P 1

Kick defusal: N 75%, P 77%

Bombs: N 4; P 3

Grubbers: N 8, P 4

Effective tackles: N 84.5%; P 91%
Tackles made: N 275; P 339
Missed tackles: N 39; P 23
Ineffective tackles: N 12; P 10
Errors: N 7; P 13
Penalties conceded: N 6, P 7

Ruck infringements: N 1; P 4

Interchanges: N 8; P 7

HIA: N 0; P 1.

Newtown’s next game details are:

NSWRL Knock-On Effect NSW Cup
24th Round
Saturday, 16th August 2025
Kellyville Park

Parramatta (3rd place) v Newtown (4th place)
Kick-Off: 3.00pm.

This match is to be livestreamed on BarTV NSWRL
Curtain-Raiser: Jersey Flegg Cup: Parramatta v Cronulla Sharks at 1.00pm.