Charles "Chicka" Cahill
Premiership winning Newtown forward in the 1940s and actively involved with the Bluebags for the next forty years.

Match details

5.00 pm, Saturday, 27 February

Henson Park

Meet the players

The Newtown Jets rediscovered their mojo in recording a strong 44-14 win against Canterbury-Bankstown in the NSW Cup trial match played at Henson Park on Saturday evening.

The Jets had looked more than a little ragged when they had been well beaten by Western Suburbs on the previous weekend, but on Saturday, Newtown led from the front and stayed in command in what was an impressive win over the 2009 NSW Cup premiers.

Newtown dominated possession early in the match and assisted by a run of penalties ran up a 14-0 lead early in the first half.

The Jets led 18-4 at half-time and added a further five tries to blow the score out to 44-8, with the Bulldogs posting a converted try late in the game.

Player performances

Among Newtown's better players were forwards Ryan Verlinden, the team captain, Jason Wells, and the Brown Bomber, James Koloamatangi. Hooker Nick Doig made a useful debut after missing the first two trials because of a calf muscle injury.

Centres Troy Savage and Tu'u Maori regularly tested the Bulldogs defence, while the young Roosters Toyota Cup winger, Andrew Haines, scored two tries in the first half, one of which would have done credit to the great Martin Offiah.

Coach Greg Matterson was obviously pleased with his team's much sharper performance but he cautioned his players that the team's overall completion rate would have to improve markedly in the upcoming competition rounds.

Match summary

Newtown 44 [Troy Savage 2, Andrew Haines 2, Brad Barrett, Ryan Verlinden, Tu’u Maori, Jason Wells, Chris Tuatara tries; Charlie Herekotukutuku 3, Tu’u Maori goals

Canterbury-Bankstown 14 [Sene Tala, Jake Foster, Tim Winitana tries; Josh Reynolds goal.

The match was played in two forty-minute halves. Newtown led by 18-4 at half-time.

Match completion rates: Newtown – 68%; Canterbury – 69%

Penalties: Newtown 10-9.

Next match

The Jets final trial match is next Saturday (March 6th) at Henson Park when they meet the Newcastle club Macquarie Scorpions for the Brian Moore Shield.

This annual challenge match between the two clubs kicks off at 4.00pm. The game is the last trial game and presents an opportunity for Newtown fans to see a full dress-rehearsal from what will be the virtual full-strength Newtown NSW Cup team.

Newtown Jets team

Interchange

Anaru Grant, Drew Lanston, Nick Doig, Guy Lanston,
Dylan Sharp, Tim Weyman, James Koloamatangi.

Earlier games

Harold Matthews - Roosters defeated South Western Sydney Academy: 44-0
SG Ball - Roosters went down to competition leaders, Melbourne Storm: 36-24