Pass mark, with better to come says Coach
Murphy

Sydney Airport Jets' formidable Head Coach Colin Murphy was reasonably pleased with his team's 20-12 win over North Sydney, in the NSW Premier League trial played at Henson Park on Saturday afternoon.

Murphy said there were several positives to come out of the match, which was also the first leg of the Frank Hyde Cup for 2004. Among these positive aspects were the solid performance of the entire Newtown pack, and the excellent early season form of players like Alf Duncan, Andrew Le Breton and Bill Najjarin. With twenty six players being used during the match, it was understandable that play became a bit disjointed and ragged at times. Murphy was happy with the progress being shown of the large influx of new players to the club, and he is confident that the team is on track for a good start to the competition rounds.

Newtown won the Jim Beam Cup trial match against competition new chums the Macarthur Jets (previously known as the Narellan Jets) by 28-24. Coach Trevor Schodel used a large batch of triallists in this match, with a consequent difference in consistency in team performance in the game's four quarters. Ben Cook, a popular player with Newtown in 2001, has returned from overseas and made a welcome comeback to Henson Park in this match, scoring a try with his very first touch of the ball.

Premier League details:

Newtown 20 (Bill Najjarin, Andrew Le Breton, Alf Duncan, David Vial tries; Alf Duncan 2 goals) defeated North Sydney 12 (Jay Edmonds, Ben Black tries; Scott McLean 2 goals). Half-time: Newtown led 10-0.

Upcoming Sydney Airport Jets trial games at Henson Park:

Saturday, February 28, Newtown v. Western Suburbs (Newcastle), kick-off 5pm. Curtain-raiser starts at 3pm.

Saturday, March 6, Newtown v. Melbourne Storm NRL, kick-off 5pm. This match marks Newtown's return to genuine first grade Rugby League circles, and will be a red letter day in the history of Australia's oldest Rugby League club.