We kicked off the day with the Keg Cup, a local A-grade (Open Men’s) derby played between Willoughby Roos and Pennant Hills Cherrybrook Stags. The Roos put on a masterclass defeating the Stags and keeping them scoreless. Both teams joined the festivities post game to cheer on the Bears from the hill.

At 3pm the Bears and Jets took to the field in the first clash of the 2025 Frank Hyde Shield. The shield is named after the legend himself who played for both Newtown in the 1930s and Norths in the early 1940’s. After his playing career he went on to have a prestigious career in broadcasting. The shield is played for each year and is awarded on aggregate points across the two games.

The Bluebags got the early jump running in two tries, one converted, in the first fifteen minutes leaving the Bears the difficult task to fight back. With twenty-four minutes gone, Bears are attacking close to their line when Jake Toby puts through a grubby that sees Jesse Marschke pounce and get the home team on the scoreboard. Trey Brown neatly converts from out wide and the score sits at 6 – 10. As the first half is heading towards the break and Bears are attacking strongly. Possession changes hands, Brown puts in a great tackle that leads to Jets player Chris Vea’ila stomping on his chest. With four minutes left in the half, the referee signals for Vea’ila to be sent off and not to return for the remainder of the game. Playing against a 12 man Jets team, Bears strike in the next plays and Coby Thomas crashes over the line. Brown converts and the team headed to the sheds in the lead 12 – 10.

During the half time we welcomed on field men’s and women’s NBL1 players from Norths Basketball who took on the high ball challenge alongside some of our non-playing Bears NSW Cup players.  Some good skills were on show but alas the two mascots, Barney and Claws, could not manage to catch a high ball – much to the delight and entertainment of the crowd!

The second half kicked off, again with 13 men against 12 on field and the arm wrestle continued for the next ten minutes. Jets broke the defensive line first in the fifty-first minute and then followed with two more tries, only one converted, to take back the lead. The red & black struggled to finish their attacking opportunities and make the most when with the ball. The final score was 12 – 24 and the Jets taking out game 1 of the Frank Hyde Shield.