Narellan Jets have kept their finals hopes alive with an exciting come from behind 34-24 win over The Oaks Tigers at Crane Oval on Sunday afternoon. MIKE SHEAN reports:
The Jets made a late charge to secure the vital premiership points. They scored three tries in the final eight minutes to secure victory in front of a small but vocal crowd.
The locals didn’t have long to wait for the opening points of the day, with centre Netane Kavapalu crossing after only three minutes, in what appeared to be ominous signs for the Tigers.
However, the Tigers came back to life, with fullback Matt Kay scoring after 14 minutes, and winger Russell Odgers finishing a nice backline move minutes five later to give The Oaks a 12-6 lead with a quarter of the match gone.
Hooker Kyle Bell scored for the Tigers eight minutes before halftime, giving The Oaks an 18-6 lead, which they held until the halftime break.
Bell bagged his second four minutes after play resumed, and the Tigers had skipped out to a 24-6 lead, which seemed like it would be a mountain too tall to climb. Especially as the Jets had struggled with possession and territory throughout the first half.
When Narellan hooker Jermaine Haule was sinbinned seven minutes into the second half this looked like the end for the Jets.
But ironically it sparked the Jets back into action, with Shannon Crook, who had steered the Jets around the park well during the game, scoring a four pointer.
With half an hour remaining in the game, it gave Narellan a glimmer of hope at 24-10.
Captain Cameron Graham, who was strong in the second row, scored on the right edge to make it 24-16 with 22 minutes left.
A second try to Crook reduced the margin to just two points and it was game on.
The Jets grabbed the lead with another try to winger Liam Ovington, before Elijah Mannah sealed the win on the final siren.
Crook and McKinnon were among the better players for Narellan, along with Cameron and Josh Graham, and prop Fred Tapou, who made good ground all afternoon.
RESULTS – FIRST GRADE:
Camden Rams 22 Campbelltown City 14;
Narellan Jets 34 The Oaks Tigers 24;
Thirlmere Roosters 24 Mittagong Lions 24;
Picton Magpies 60 Oakdale Workers 10
RESERVE GRADE:
Camden 20 Campbelltown City 25;
Narellan 16 The Oaks 16;
Thirlmere 10 Mittagong 44;
Picton 13 Oakdale 0.
UNDER 18:
Appin Dogs 30 Picton Magpies 6;
Camden 80 Campbelltown City 20;
Thirlmere 8 Mittagong 20.
Narellan Jets – bye.
LEAGUE TAG:
Camden 4 Campbelltown City 0;
Mt Annan Barbarians 16 The Oaks 8;
Thirlmere 46 Mittagong 0.
SECOND DIVISION:
Appin Dogs 18 Moss Vale Dragons 6;
Narellan Jets 20 Mt Annan Knights 8;
Bargo Bunnies 18 Picton Magpies 24;
Warragamba Wombats 18 Robertson Spuddies 24.
NEXT WEEK Round 14 – 2.30pm Sunday, July 24:
Narellan vs Campbelltown City;
Thirlmere vs Oakdale;
The Oaks vs Mittagong;
Picton vs Camden.
♦ The Oaks vs Mittagong will be the Group 6 League Live broadcast match from Dudley Chesham Oval. Coverage from 2pm Sunday. Click here to listen in.
