Newtown in narrow and hard-fought semi-final defeat against North Sydney

The Newtown Jets and North Sydney Bears engaged in a mighty struggle in last Sunday’s NSW Cup Major Semi-Final at Leichhardt Oval.

In what was a high-standard game, Norths strong defence prevailed as the Bears held on to an 18-16 lead over Newtown, with the Jets centre Chris Vea’ila being held up over the tryline in the final seconds of play.

It was a day where the Bears had their fair share of good luck. They came into this major semi-final with a much strengthened team than they had fielded in the final competition round. A strong southerly was with the Bears in the first half, and then the wind dropped noticeably when it was Newtown’s turn to run with it.

One conversion separated the two teams and they had scored three tries each. The one conversion that Jets halfback Niwhai Puru had missed was from right on the sideline, kicking into the very strong first half wind. All three of Norths tries had involved some degree of good fortune while Newtown’s three tries came from well-constructed, creative ball play – but that can be the fickle nature of the rugby league game.

Newtown’s two tries in the first half were the products of well-crafted ball-play, Sam Stonestreet’s ninth minute try involved Niwhai Puru, Khaled Rajab and a marvellous flick pass by Chris Vea’ila, ending in a majestic dive by Stonestreet into the south-western corner.

Newtown’s second try came on the back of a Norths error at their own end. Jayden Berrell, Niwhai Puru and Liam Ison combined to send Jordan Swann racing over to the left of the southern end goal posts.

There was some contention about Norths first try, with the NSWRL TV commentary team making the observation that in an NRL game the matter would have been referred to “The Bunker” for adjudication. There appeared on the TV replay that there might have been a hand (or finger) on the high ball that had been contested by Liam Ison and the Norths winger, and then grounded by a Bears centre.

Norths second try came just two minutes before halftime when a Bears grubber kick aimed at Newtown’s in-goal ricocheted at short range off Billy Burns’ head, then off the goal-post padding where it was snapped up and grounded by the Norths five-eighth. The Bears led 12-10 at halftime and given the intensity of the first half, there weren’t going to be too many points conceded in the second forty minutes.

The Bears good fortune continued with their only try in the second half coming from a pass deflected by a Newtown defender, which then flew into the hands of a Norths player who scored to the left of the posts. The Bears 18-10 lead was going to be a tough prospect to overhaul, given the Shoremen’s season-long reputation for determined defence.

Newtown narrowed the points gap in the 66th minute when Sam Healey and Niwhai Puru, allied with Liam Ison’s soaring cut-out pass, sent Sam Stonestreet diving in for his second try. Puru converted from the sideline and Norths held a two-point lead which they managed to defend until fulltime.

One significant feature of the game was the penalty count of 9-4 in North Sydney’s favour. In the modern rugby league game where momentum is so important and so difficult to attain, a well-taken penalty punt kick can take an attacking team well downfield. The run of penalties on Sunday assisted Norths in their quest for field position.

The Bears defended their narrow lead with great resolution, and Newtown had thrown everything at them in the final fifteen minutes in what assuredly was a classic NSW Cup Major Semi-Final.

Every Newtown player contributed well in this match. In the backs, fullback Liam Ison returned the ball with his usual elusiveness and assisted in the creation of two tries; winger Tom Rodwell did a power of work bringing the ball out from Newtown’s end, running 198 metres and assisting the forwards; Sam Stonestreet’s two tries could only be scored by a winger of his speed, height and agility; and halfback Niwhai Puru had played a valuable role in all three of Newtown’s tries.

Lock Blake Hosking clocked up 49 tackles and was clever with the ball; middle forwards Tuku Hau Tapuha and Brad Fearnley really took the contest up to the Bears forwards; and hooker Jayden Berrell played at the top of his form, terrorising Norths with his forays from dummy-half and his intelligent, well-directed passes.

Newtown Jets coach George Ndaira observed after the game that the wind had helped Norths with their field position in the first half. There had been plenty of effort in Newtown’s performance and the Jets are still alive for this coming Saturday. The Raiders will be stronger than when the Jets played them in the Qualifying Final and our boys need to regroup for this challenge. The Jets players really appreciate the support of the Newtown fans at all of our games, and we hope there will be a big crowd of Jets supporters at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday.

The Newtown Jets will now meet the Canberra Raiders, after the Green Machine eliminated the Penrith Panthers in Sunday’s Minor Semi-Final. The Jets-Raiders NSW Cup Preliminary Final is to be played on Saturday, 21st September at Leichhardt Oval, with the earlier kick-off time of 1.00pm. The Cronulla Sharks versus Canberra Raiders Jersey Flegg Preliminary Final curtain-raiser commences at 11.00am.

Sunday’s game details: –
NSWRL Knock-On Effect NSW Cup
Major Semi-Final
Sunday, 15th September 2024
Leichhardt Oval

North Sydney v Newtown
Kick-Off: 5.00pm.
This match was livestreamed on NSWRL TV.

Weather: Cloudy, 16 degrees, strong southerly wind.
Playing surface: Excellent.

Referee: Kieren Irons
Touch Judges: Brad Kiehne and Tom Cambourn
In-goal Judges: Paul Eden and Braydon Hunt.

The Result: –

North Sydney 18:
Matt Stimson, Ben Stevanovic, Ben Talty tries;

Kieran Hayman 3 conversions
defeated
Newtown 16:
Sam Stonestreet 2, Jordan Swann tries;

Niwhai Puru 2 conversions.
Half-Time: North Sydney led 12-10.

The teams: -Newtown:
Fullback: Liam Ison
Wingers: Tom Rodwell, Sam Stonestreet
Centres: Chris Vea’ila, Jordan Swann
Halves: Khaled Rajab, Niwhai Puru
Lock: Blake Hosking
Second-Rowers: Kyle Pickering, Billy Burns (Captain)
Front-Rowers: Tuku Hau Tapuha, Braden Hamlin-Uele
Hooker: Jayden Berrell
Interchange:
Jordin Leiu, Billy Magoulias, Sam Healey, Brad Fearnley
18th Man: Jackson Ferris
Coach: George Ndaira

North Sydney:
Fullback: Kieran Hayman

Wingers: Allan Fitzgibbon, Tuipulotu Katoa
Centres: Israel Ogden, Dean Ieremia
Halves: Ben Stevanovic, Harradyn Wilson
Lock: Ativatu Lisati
Second-Rowers: Joe Chan, Matt Stimson
Front-Rowers: Kurt De Luis (Captain), Tepai Moeroa

Hooker: Bronson Garlick
Interchange:
Nathaniel Roache, Regan Hughes, Phillip Makatoa, Ben Talty
18th man: Coby Thomas
Coach: Kieran Dempsey.

NSWRL TV Highlights || NSW Cup Major Semi-Final || North Sydney Bears v Newtown Jets || Leichhardt Oval, 15th September 2024:
https://www.nswrl.com.au/news/2024/09/15/nswrl-tv-highlights–nsw-cup-major-semi-final—bears-v-jets/

Hear what the Newtown Jets head coach George Ndaira had to say after Sunday’s Major Semi-Final:

https://www.facebook.com/newtownrlfc/videos/437795645981499

Match Timeline: –
First Half:
Newtown kicked off, running to the southern end of the ground.
9m30s: Sam Stonestreet try
Not converted. Newtown 4-0.
16th minute: Matt Stimson try
Converted by Kieran Hayman. Norths 6-4
23rd minute: Jordan Swann try.

Converted by Niwhai Puru. Newtown 10-6.
38th minute: Ben Stevanovic try.

Converted by Kieran Hayman. Norths 12-10.
40th minute: Niwhai Puru is unsuccessful with a penalty goal attempt from 45 metres out, from near the sideline and kicking into a driving wind.
Half-Time: North Sydney 12 versus Newtown 10.
Second Half:
48m30s: Ben Talty try
Converted by Kieran Hayman. Norths 18-10.
59 minutes: Jordin Leiu HIA.
64m30s: Sam Stonestreet try
Converted from the sideline by Niwhai Puru. Norths 18-16.
74m30s: Jordin Leiu HIA cleared.
Full-Time: North Sydney 18 defeated Newtown 16.

Match Statistics: –
(Abbreviations: North Sydney – NS; Newtown – N.)
Player statistics:
Blake Hosking – Newtown – 49 tackles
Tom Rodwell – Newtown – Most run metres – 198 metres.
Sam Stonestreet – Newtown – Most line breaks – 2.

Team Statistics:
Possession: NS 45%, N 55%
Time in possession: NS 24m10s, N 28m30s
Completion rate: NS 66%, N 78%
All runs: NS 177, N 209
All run metres: NS 1389, N 1721
Post contact metres: NS 494, N 561
Line breaks: NS 1, N 3
Tackle breaks: NS 47, N 44
Average set distance: NS 35.6, N 46.5
Kick return metres: NS 46, N 89
Average play the ball speed: NS 3.4s, N 3.1s
Offloads: NS 7, N 13
Receipts: NS 368, N 448
Total passes: NS 196, N 244
Dummy passes: NS 2, N 5
Kicks: NS 18, N 19
Kicking metres: NS 460, N 394
Forced drop outs: NS 0, N 1
Kick defusal: NS 85%, N 71%
Bombs: NS    4, N 13
Grubbers: NS 5, N 3
Effective tackles: NS 82.3%, N 84.1%
Tackles made: NS 326, N 328
Missed tackles: NS 44, N 47
Intercepts: NS 1, N 0
Ineffective tackles: NS 26, N 15Errors: NS 13, N 12
Penalties conceded: NS 4, N 9
Ruck infringements: NS 2, N 0
Inside 10 metres: NS 2, N 0
Interchanges: NS 8, N 8
HIA: NS 0, N 1.

This Saturday’s game details:

NSWRL Knock-On Effect NSW Cup
Preliminary Final
Saturday, 21st September 2024
Leichhardt Oval
Newtown v Canberra Raiders
Kick-Off: 1.00pm.
Please note the earlier kick-off time.
This match will be livestreamed on NSWRL TV.

Curtain-Raiser:
NSWRL Jersey Flegg Cup
Preliminary Final
Saturday, 21st September 2024
Leichhardt Oval
Canberra Raiders v Cronulla Sharks
Kick-Off: 11.00am.