Newtown Jets win one for the ages with a stirring second half performance

Fielding what appeared to be an understrength team, the Newtown Jets defeated North Sydney 24-12 at North Sydney Oval on Sunday afternoon, after trailing 12-10 at halftime.

The Jets centre Chris Vea’ila was sent off in controversial circumstances two minutes before the halftime break, with Norths taking the lead in the 39th minute. Newtown’s prospects in the second half, trailing 12-10 and down to 12 players appeared to be grim, but not only did this plucky young Jets team score three tries in the second half, they also kept Norths scoreless.

Newtown’s coach George Ndaira had to rewrite his team sheet several times in the week leading into Sunday’s match, with several changes brought about through injuries and call-ups into the Cronulla NRL squad, with the Sharks playing away in Brisbane, also on Sunday afternoon.

In addition to being the first leg of the popular 2025 Frank Hyde Shield series and a replay of the epic 2024 NSW Cup Grand Final, Sunday’s match at Bear Park was of vital importance to the finals’ prospects of both clubs. The Jets had lost five of their last six games heading into Sunday’s match, and they were under increasing pressure from several clubs just behind them on the competition table.

The Jets began with considerable confidence with a try in the 9th minute, when fullback Taj Ford delivered an excellent pass to centre Eli Clark, who showed great determination in getting across the tryline.

Newtown stayed on the attack at Norths end, with hooker Josh Cook being held up over the line and front-rower Lachlan Crouch grounding the ball next to the posts, only to have his try disallowed for a Norths defender having been obstructed.

Team captain and halfback Niwhai Puru and Taj Ford, two players who had a big impact on the game, combined cleverly to send winger Eparama Navale over unopposed in the 15th minute. Puru was successful with one of his conversion attempts and Newtown led 10-0.

The Jets had done most of the attacking in the first twenty minutes, and second-rower Kyle Pickering almost scored in similar circumstances to his try in last year’s thriller between these two 1908 foundation clubs played at the same ground.

Norths scored a scrambling try from a high kick in the 25th minute, and the conversion had them trailing by 10-6. The Bears had the run of penalties in the game’s second quarter and they had repeated good field position. During this period the Bar TV commentary team commented on how well Newtown were defending at their end of the ground and they complimented Kyle Pickering on his defensive work-rate.

In an extraordinary turn of events two minutes before halftime, Jets centre Chris Vea’ila was sent off for an incident while tackling a Norths player. Referee Kasey Badger sent him from the field (with the late news from the NSWRL Judiciary indicating that Vea’ila had no case to answer). To worsen Newtown’s situation, Norths scored in the last minute of the first half and headed into the dressing-rooms with a 12-10 lead.

The prevailing view amongst the sizable crowd at North Sydney Oval would have been that Newtown faced a daunting task in winning this game one player down. Norths had already come into this game fired up to avenge their defeat in the 2024 Grand Final, and they had further incentive to stay in the tough quest for a place in the 2025 NSW Cup finals.

Newtown began the second half with great energy and a dominance of possession. Niwhai Puru nearly scored from a clever grubber kick into the in-goal, amazingly enough in the same manner as he had scored in the 2024 game at Bear Park. Extended possession at Norths end saw the powerhouse young front-rower Sam McCulloch surge through Norths defenders to score next to the posts. Puru’s conversion had Newtown back in the lead at 16-12.

The shorthanded Jets played the perfect game in the second half – hard running with the ball, good handling, minimal errors and fiercely-determined tackling. The Bears to some extent were their own worst enemies with some bad handling and frantic passes that struck down a couple of scoring chances. The commentators observed that “Newtown weren’t going to die wondering how to be competitive with twelve men on the field” and “they were showing all of the fighting spirit that their old club has long been famous for.”

Once again it was the Puru and Ford show as they combined again to test Norths right-side defence. Ford chip kicked for the north-west corner and winger Kristian Dixon had come over from his right wing to seize the ball and score in the left-side corner.

When Norths did get the ball down to Newtown’s end, they were confronted by “they shall not pass” on-line defence by the Jets, who were visibly encouraging each other in a display of genuine team spirit. The Bears put some good attack together in the final quarter but were hurled back by the Jets defenders. Norths ball security remained a problem for them in the vital moments.

Two minutes from fulltime Kyle Pickering and Taj ford contested a high kick by Niwhai Puru – there was a wild scramble and Ford emerged with the ball to score in the corner. The game was over at 24-12 but Norths mounted a final attack, only for Eparama Navale to grab an intercept and carry the ball 50 metres upfield.

The commentary team marvelled at the extent to which Newtown had been in control for most of the second half, and that “this win had been a statement for their season.”

Taj Ford and Niwhai Puru had outstanding games and Pickering’s defence was inspirational. Other forwards who stood out were Brad Fearnley, Lachlan Crouch, Max Bradbury, Josh Cook, Sam McCulloch, Jordin Leiu and Dylan Coutts. Khaled Rajab and Kristian Dixon had played well in the backs on a day where every player “rolled up their sleeves and got stuck in” in that memorable second half performance.

The Jets take on near neighbours South Sydney at Coogee Oval on Sunday, 29th June at 3.00pm. Souths and the Cronulla Sharks play in a Jersey Flegg Cup curtain-raiser at 1.00pm.

Newtown’s next match details:
NSWRL Knock-On Effect NSW Cup
Round 17
Sunday, 29th June 2025
Coogee Oval
South Sydney v Newtown
Kick-Off: 3.00pm
This match will be live-streamed on BarTV NSWRL.

(Curtain-Raiser: Jersey Flegg Cup; South Sydney v Cronulla Sharks; 1.00pm).

Match Details:

NSWRL Knock-On Effect NSW Cup

Round 16
North Sydney Oval
Sunday, 22nd June 2025
North Sydney v Newtown
Kick-Off: 3.00pm.

This match was the first leg of the 2025 Frank Hyde Shield series.
It was livestreamed on BarTV NSWRL

Weather: 19 degrees, sunny, light breeze

Playing surface: Excellent.

Referee: Kasey Badger

Touch Judges: Tom Cambourn and Damian Brady.

Match Result:

Newtown 24:
Eli Clark, Eparama Navale, Samuel McCulloch,

Kristian Dixon, Taj Ford tries;
Niwhai Puru 2 conversions

defeated

North Sydney 12:
Jesse Marschke, Coby Thomas tries;

Trey Brown 2 conversions.

Half-Time: North Sydney led 12-10.

The teams:

Newtown:
Fullback: Taj Ford
Wingers: Kristian Dixon, Eparama Navale
Centres: Chris Vea’ila, Eli Clark
Halves: Khaled Rajab, Niwhai Puru (Captain)
Lock: Jordin Leiu
Second-Rowers: Kyle Pickering, Dylan Coutts

Front-Rowers: Lachlan Crouch, Max Bradbury
Hooker: Josh Cook

Interchange:
Jontay-Junior Betham-Misa, Sam McCulloch
Riley Pollard, Brad Fearnley
Concussion Substitute: Kobie Wilson
Blue Shirt Trainer: Tom Haberecht
Yellow Shirt Trainer: Craig Tredinnick
Orange Shirt Trainer: Chris Moubarak
Game Day Doctor: Dr Anna-Maria Frangos-Young

Coach: George Ndaira.

North Sydney:
Fullback: Jake Toby
Wingers: Tui Katoa, Suilagi Pio
Centres: Israel Ogden, Compton Futatimau

Halves: Trey Brown, Jesse Marschke (Captain)
Lock: Coby Thomas
Second-Rowers: Bronson Garlick, Matt Stimson
Front-Rowers: Ofahiki Ogden, Ativalu Lisati
Hooker: Jayden Yates
Interchange:
Gabe Satrick, Phill Makatoa
Regan Hughes, Joe Chan
Concussion Substitute: Matt Komolafe
Blue Shirt Trainer: Greg Florimo
Yellow Shirt Trainer: John Michael
Orange Shirt Trainer: Brent Banning
Game Day Doctor: Dr Edwin Tan

Coach: Tony Barnes.

Video Clips:

Highlights from today’s North Sydney v Newtown Round 16 NSW Cup match at North Sydney Oval:
https://www.facebook.com/KnockOnEffectCup/videos/736744175527991

The George Ndaira post game Coach Chat:
https://www.facebook.com/watch?v=1921755511975192

The NSWRL Knock-On Effect NSW Cup competition table after 16 rounds:
https://www.nswrl.com.au/ladder/?competition=113&round=16&season=2025

Match Timeline:

First Half:
North Sydney kicked off, running to the Fig Tree End (the northern end) of North Sydney Oval.
8m30s: Eli Clark try.
Not converted. Newtown 4-0.
14m30s: Eparama try
Converted by Niwhai Puru. Newtown 10-0.
24th minute: Jesse Marschke try
Converted by Trey Brown. Newtown 10-6
37m30s: Chris Vea’ila sent off.
38th minute: Coby Thomas try.
Converted by Trey Brown. North Sydney 12-10.
Half-Time: North Sydney 12 led Newtown 10.
Second Half:
Newtown kicked off to the northern end.
51st minute: Sam McCulloch try
Converted by Niwhai Puru. Newtown 16-12.
64th minute: Kristian Dixon try.

Not converted. Newtown 20-12.
78th minute: Taj Ford try.
Not converted. Newtown 24-12.
Full-Time: Newtown 24 defeated North Sydney 12.

Match Statistics:

Newtown Player Statistics:
Most tackles: Kyle Pickering: 36
Most metres run: Taj Ford: 189
Most line breaks: Taj Ford: 2.

Team Statistics:
(Newtown: N; North Sydney: NS)

Possession: N 52%, NS 48%
Completions: N 78%, NS 73%
Errors: N 6, NS 9

Penalties: N 4, NS 10
6 Agains: N 3, NS 3

Sets: N 37, NS 40
Total kicks: N 16, NS 17
Forced drop outs: N 1, NS 0

Time in possession: N 27.30, NS 23.30
All runs: N 181, NS 158
Post contact metres: N 621, NS 578
Line breaks: N 4, NS 3
Kick defusal: N 86%, NS 71%
Tackles made: N 345, NS 337
Missed tackles: N 16, NS 27
Intercepts: N 2, NS 0
Send offs: N 1, NS 0
Interchanges: N 8, NS 5
HIA: N 0, NS 1