There was no shortage of drama in the Frank Hyde Shield decider played between North Sydney and Newtown at North Sydney Oval on Sunday June 8. The annual shield commemorates the late Frank Hyde, the stylish rugby league centre who played with distinction for the Newtown, North Sydney and Balmain clubs, and is best remembered as the peerless radio broadcaster who dominated the ratings for more than 30 years.
The Jets looked set for a huge win when they led 20-0 after as many minutes. The fortunes of the game turned right around when Jets front-rower Ray Moujalli was dismissed with Newtown leading 20-6. Norths fought back to trail by 20-16 at half time and looked likely to go on with it in the second 40 minutes.
The Jets came back out and turned on an exceptional second-half performance, holding the Bears at bay early in the half and then scoring 18 points to nil to go on to record a commanding 38-16 victory.
Newtown had to survive some intense pressure from the Bears early in the second half and penalties to Norths kept the Jets pinned in their own quarter. Had Norths scored first in the second half the end result may have been entirely different. Josh Davis took an intercept that defused a possible scoring chance for Norths, and fullback Jonathon Reuben made a ground-gaining run from near his own try-line. This breakout ultimately ended in a try to Jets benchman Sio Siua Taukeiaho.
As the rain started to fall in the fourth quarter Newtown gained the ascendancy. A try to Kurt Kara with 13 minutes to play made the result safer for the Jets. Newtown’s final try was scored by centre Samisoni Langi after the ball had travelled through several pairs of hands. Daniel Mortimer’s conversion from the sideline was Newtown’s final flourish in what had been a game of contrasting fortunes.
Jets coach Greg Matterson rated the game “a performance to be proud of”.
“Every player had a dig and helped get the team out of what had been a really tough situation, especially in the second half. It was a good tough win achieved with only 12 men on the field for more than 50 minutes.”
The Newtown coaching staff named Heath L’Estrange, Kane Evans, Ryan Verlinden, Saulala Houma and Kurt Kara as being the best of the forwards. Halves Mortimer and Taumata turned in controlled performances while Samisoni Langi, Sio Siua Taukeiaho, Josh Davis and Tautau Moga had been the best of the other backs.
Newtown 38 (Tautau Moga, Arana Taumata, Daniel Mortimer, Josh Davis, Sio Siua Taukeiaho, Kurt Kara, Samisoni Langi tries; Daniel Mortimer 5 goals) defeated
North Sydney 16 (Joe Uluibau, Curtis Johnston, Matt Hyland tries; Kurt Aldridge 2 goals).
