On-song Frank Hyde steals the show
at Henson Park

The Sydney Airport Jets defeated North Sydney 42-20 in their VB Premier League clash at Henson Park on Saturday, but the legendary Frank Hyde was the real show-stopper. The old trouper was on hand to see two of his former clubs go around, and at half-time he enthralled the crowd of more than 1500 with a faultless rendition of his signature tune, ?Danny Boy?. He even laid on an encore of his equally memorable conversion-attempt description, ?it?s long enough, it?s high enough, it?s straight between the posts? to the immense delight of the crowd.

As for the game ? this was a disciplined and polished display from the Sydney Airport Jets, all the more creditable as it was achieved without the services of suspended ace play-maker Craig Field. Newtown did all the simple things well, but had to work hard to get the better of this capable and tenacious Bears outfit. Newtown led 14-4 at half-time, but did not really wrap the game up until Alf Duncan?s third try about ten minutes before full-time.

Newtown?s tough forward pack laid the foundations for this win, assisted by smart dummy-half running from the likes of the impressive Wade L?Estrange, Sioeli Helu, Andrew Le Breton, Ben Cook and Chris Williams. Centre Ben Vaeau and stand-in half-back David Hall had their best games of the season, while centre Alf Duncan (three tries) and Sioeli Helu showed something of their best form. Acting captain Tommy Gemmell, Dan Manousso, James Stosic, Nelson Lomi and Phillip Leuluai were the best of Newtown?s Trojan set of forwards.

The Sydney Airport Jets made it a winning double with the Newtown Jim Beam Cup team scoring an upset win over Ryde-Eastwood by 36-22. Jets coach Trevor Schodel said all of his team showed great character in overcoming late promotions up into the Premier League side plus two players being injured early in the match, leaving the interchange bench short-handed for most of the game. Schodel said he knew that it would take several games for his lads to click, but with their new-found self-confidence this team is capable of a lot more wins this season. Clayton Sellings, Hamilton Hughes and Frank Waqa were the best of the Newtown backs, with George Ghazal, Dane O'Donnell and big David Vial having huge games in the forwards.

Sydney Airport Jets forwards Thomas Motuapuaka and Dane Scott turned out with Newtown's fraternal club Parkes against Manildra in the Group 11 competition on Sunday. Manildra won the fiercely-contested match 36-30, and both the Newtown boys were credited with strong performances.

Both Newtown teams play away on the Central Coast this Saturday, with Col Murphy?s Premier League team taking on South Sydney at the Express Advocate Stadium on Saturday, May 15, at 5.30pm. The Jim Beam Cup boys travel to Woy Woy, playing the locals at Woy Woy Oval on Saturday also at 5.30pm.