Panthers v Broncos preview
3 hours ago | Rhys Sullivan
Saturday, March 1st, 2003 Central Coast Advocate Stadium, Gosford (formerly the Northpower Stadium). 2.30 pm. Newtown v. Ryde-Eastwood (Jim Beam Cup trial) 4.10 pm. Newtown v. Western Suburbs (NSW Premier League trial). The Sydney Airport Jets had two very worthwhile and vigorous trials at Henson Park last Saturday. Newtown's youthful Jim Beam Cup squad came up against a team of genuine country hard cases in the shape of the Narellan Jets from Group 6.
Newtown's coach Darryl Neville said that this was the ideal type of trial to sort out those players who could withstand the proverbial "blow torch to the belly", and the Narellan tearaways were just the team of likely lads needed to administer such a searching physical "test".
In the main game, Newtown met the team generally regarded as being the strongest club side in the entire NSW Country Rugby League empire, Newcastle Western Suburbs. Any Sydney coffee-shop drone who tries to tell you Rugby League is on the decline in country New South Wales obviously didn't check out the furious action at Henson Park on Saturday evening.
The Sydney Airport Jets might have finished three tries to the better in this trial, but they were made work hard for the victory. Jets coach Colin Murphy was quite pleased with the effort and discipline shown by his side so early in the season, but identified plenty of areas for improvement. The inaugural Sydney Airport Jets Golf Day was held at Kogarah Golf Course on last Friday (February 21). Despite the welcome drought-relieving rains, it was a well-attended and very enjoyable day's golfing and luncheon, one that should now become an established event on the Newtown Jets annual calendar.
Many thanks to the major sponsors Tooheys, Sydney Airport and various Newtown and Marrickville hotels. Special thanks to Shane Lester from the Court House Hotel, Newtown and the Mayor of Marrickville, Barry Cotter, for their exceptional organisational input.
That popular Newtown Jets sponsor Bobby Petersen of Petersen's Meats, Maroubra won an absolute swag of raffle prizes at the after-golf luncheon, and rumour has it he is now officially barred from all future golf days! For all Sydney Airport Jets news, check out the club website on: www.newtownjets.com or ring the Jets hotline on 1300 36 36 90. Phil Sigsworth Marketing Manager, Newtown RLFC. jets@newtownjets.com 0408694814