As mentioned on Fox Sports TV coverage at the time by well credentialed Rugby League talent scout Peter Mulholland, Newtown fullback Rhys Pritchard was worthy of NRL selection. His second half try was scintillating. Photo: Mike Biboudis
As mentioned on Fox Sports TV coverage at the time by well credentialed Rugby League talent scout Peter Mulholland, Newtown fullback Rhys Pritchard was worthy of NRL selection. His second half try was scintillating. Photo: Mike Biboudis

Virtual Season 2020 – Jets claim one for the ages

Match details

3.00 pm, Saturday, 21 May 2011

The Crest Stadium, Bass Hill
Entrance and parking off Rex Rd or Carysfield Rd

Browse moment-by-moment game action in Gary Sutherland’s match gallery or view game highlights in the Mike Bidboudis photo slideshow.

Newtown’s thrilling 22-14 win against Canterbury-Bankstown on Saturday could be regarded as one of the club’s best wins since joining a forerunner of the current NSW Cup competition back in 2000.

Injuries and representative commitments had depleted both the Sydney Roosters and Jets’ playing rosters for the weekend, and Newtown’s task against the NSW Cup competition leaders seemed to be a foregone conclusion.

The Bulldogs led 10-0 after 15 minutes and looked to be on course for a comfortable victory. Canterbury dominated possession early on but the game underwent a dramatic transformation midway through the first half.

Jets turn the game with skill and effort

Newtown’s halves Blake Lazarus and Johnathon Ford combined with second-rower Boyd Cordner for the talented young forward to surge across for the Jets’ first try.

Newtown’s second try originated from a superb midfield off-load by second-rower Chris Afamasaga, with Cordner and Ford exchanging passes at top speed for the backrower’s second try. The Jets seemed to grow in confidence from this point onwards and went in to the break with the scores even at 10-all.

Jets carry the fight up to the Bulldogs through the second half

The second half proved to be a rousing and dramatic spectacle as the large contingent of Newtown fans in attendance at the Crest Stadium roared their team on to an improbable victory. The Jets took the lead for the first time when five-eighth Ford and front-rower Brad Takairangi sent centre James Trotter, on debut from the Cabramatta Bundaberg Cup team, racing away to the posts.

Newtown fullback Rhys Pritchard then scored a slashing individual try when he threaded his way through disorganised Bulldogs defenders and sprinted 50 metres to the tryline, all on the back of a scurrying burst from dummy-half by hooker Scott Jones.

Canterbury threw all of their considerable resources at Newtown’s defence and scored from a high kick to the corner 12 minutes out from full-time. The Jets contained the competition leaders for the remainder of the game and claimed a truly morale-boosting win.

Coach’s assessment

Jets coach Greg Matterson was quick to acknowledge what had been an outstanding team effort, underpinned by unyielding defence in the second half. The Bulldogs had the use of 40 more plays with the ball than Newtown for the entire game , practically 7 sets of possession, which emphasised the enormity of the Jets’ defensive workload.

Newtown’s forwards matched the experienced Bulldogs pack which had tried to steam-roll the Jets in the tense second half. Matterson was reluctant to name any individuals out of such a stirring team performance, but it was hard to go past Boyd Cordner, Ahmad Ellaz, Scott Jones, Kurt Kara and skipper Khalid Deeb in the forwards, along with centre James Trotter who was making his NSW Cup debut with Newtown.

Coach Matterson cautioned that the team couldn’t rest on its laurels and that while an admirable performance-benchmark had been set, next Saturday’s opponents North Sydney were coming off a convincing away win against the Knights’ Central Coast feeder club last Saturday and would be primed for the big occasion.

Match summary

Newtown Jets 22 [Boyd Cordner 2, Rhys Pritchard, James Trotter tries; Blake Lazarus 3 goals]
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 14 [3 tries; 1 goal]
Half-time: Jets and Bulldogs 10 all. Officials: Referee, Luke Phillips; Touch Judges, Daniel Olford, David Ryan.

Newtown's head coach George Ndaira (left) and Head of Football Greg Matterson are pictured with the 2024 NSWRL Knock-On Effect NSW Cup premiership trophy. George and Greg are both on deck again as the Newtown Jets head into the 2025 NSW Cup season. 
(Photo: Mario Facchini, mafphotography)

Newtown’s first NSW Cup trial game for 2025 is against Penrith at Henson Park on Saturday, 8th February at 4.00pm

This photo of the Newtown RLFC players, staff, Directors and sponsors was taken at Henson Park on the day before the final home game for the 2024 season.  (Photo: Mario Facchini)

The Newtown Jets celebrate what was a magnificent year in the history of Australia’s oldest rugby league club

Newtown Jets 2024 Presentation Night Poster

2024 NEWTOWN RLFC NSW CUP PREMIERS PRESENTATION DINNER & AWARDS NIGHT

Newtown's giant front-rower Tuku Hau Tapuha gets into stride as he carries the ball forward in Sunday's NRL State Championship Final. Photo: Mario Facchini / mafphotography

Second half errors prove costly as the Newtown Jets lose narrowly in the NRL State Championship Final

Barry Vining of the Jets celebrates after the preliminary final of the NSW Cup finals series game between the Newtown Jets and Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs at Leichhardt Oval, Sydney on September 23, 2012. Jets defeated Bulldogs 34-6. (Photo by Jason McCawley)

Vale Barry Noel Vining OAM

Image: Mario Facchini, mafphotography

Newtown Jets Team List v Norths Devils Sun 6th October, 2024 (NRL State Championship)

Australian Mutual Bank
Front of Jersey

Petersham RSL
Back of Jersey

Deicorp
Back of Jersey, Training Gear, Socks

HPH-02

Henson Park Hotel
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

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.