The Ryan-Pringle Shield Local Derby
is on again this Saturday

The Sydney Airport Jets and the Balmain Tigers, two of the form teams in the 2005 VB Premier League competition, face off at Henson Park this coming Saturday (April 23). The Newtown and Balmain clubs initiated the Trevor Ryan-Neil Pringle Shield contest last year, with the 2004 series ending in a draw. Saturday?s retro local derby will be the first leg of the 2005 series, with plenty of old scores waiting to be settled.

Newtown had the bye in the VB Premier League this past weekend, while there was a general bye in the Jim Beam Cup competition. Following the lay-off the Jets should be at near-full strength for this popular inner western Premier League showdown, which drew one of the biggest crowds of last season to Henson Park.

Newtown?s affiliate club Parkes, which plays in the strong central western NSW Group 11 competition, won their home game against the Cobar Roosters on Sunday by 48-22. The Spacemen also racked up impressive wins in both the reserves and juniors matches.

Newtown?s match against Balmain at Henson Park this Saturday kicks off at 3.00pm. There will be NSWRL junior representative games as curtain raisers for this eagerly awaited VB Premier League ?needle? match.

In the Jim Beam Cup next weekend, Newtown travels to the Central Coast on Sunday (April 24), when the Jets will take on Ourimbah at Sohier Park at 3.00pm.