The Narellan Jets and Thirlmere Roosters had to share the points after an 80 minute thriller at Crane Oval on Sunday afternoon, reports MIKE SHEAN.
When the final siren sounded with the scores locked at 28-28 both camps would have been relieved to have gained a point each.
It was certainly better than losing two points after such a mighty effort.
But both coaches would have known they had opportunities to win the game and have plenty of work to do ahead of their final round matches in a fortnight.
Narellan posted the first points of the match nine minutes in when Jermaine Haule scored to give the Jets supporters a great start to Sponsors’ Day.
However, that was short lived when Thirlmere winger Riley Nairn crossed to give the Roosters their opening points of the day.
Narellan returned serve when halfback Shannon Crook, who again played well for the Jets, crossed on 19 minutes, giving the locals a 12-4 lead.
Thirlmere’s Scott Jones, who played out of position at five eighth and was among the better players for the Roosters, bagged two tries within four minutes and Jake Mullaney added the extras, giving the visitors a 16-12 lead at the break.
Neither side would have been confident at halftime, knowing they had plenty of missed opportunities in the first half.
Thirlmere captain Lelea Paea added to the Roosters’ lead early in the second half, and with the scoreline showing 22-12 in their favour, it appeared as though the Jets would be in for a long afternoon.
Things didn’t improve when Nairn bagged his second minutes later and the lead blew out to 16 points.
But there was still over 30 minutes remaining in the match so it wasn’t over by a long shot.
Narellan, as is their want, clawed their way back into the match, firstly through a try to rampaging front rower Fred Tapou, who was one of the better forwards for the Jets all afternoon.
Then, with 15 minutes remaining, returning hooker Stuart Flannagan, who has been the spark for the Jets in the last fortnight, ran from dummy half and crossed.
This reduced the deficit to just four points, with Thirlmere leading 28-24.
At that stage there was still time for both sides to claim the win, but it was a question of who wanted it more.
As with any mystery, there was one final twist.
When it appeared as though Thirlmere would hold on for a win, Jermaine Haule scored his second try with only a matter of seconds remaining on the official clock, to level the scores at 28-28.
Shannon Crook, who had been good with his first four conversion attempts during the day, pushed his kick to the left, and the scores remained level.
A final chance at field goal for Narellan was wasted in the last minute, and both sides were forced to settle for a draw.
Narellan coach Shayne McMenemy and Thirlmere’s coaches Lelea Paea and David Greene will be rueing missed opportunities throughout the afternoon, and will lament chances which were wasted.
ROUND 15 RESULTS first grade:
Narellan Jets 28 Thirlmere Roosters 28;
Picton Magpies 56 Mittagong Lions 10.
LADDER: Picton 30; Thirlmere, Camden* 20; Narellan 18; The Oaks* 16; Campbelltown City* 12; Mittagong 10; Oakdale* 8.
* Game in hand
RESERVE GRADE:
Narellan 46 Thirlmere 16;
Picton 28 Mittagong 14.
LADDER: Picton 26; The Oaks* 20; Campbelltown City*, Narellan 17; Mittagong 15; Camden* 14; Thirlmere 11; Oakdale* 6.
*Game in hand
UNDER 18:
Narellan 22 Thirlmere 26;
Picton 16 Mittagong 44.
LADDER: Thirlmere, Appin* 24; Camden* 22; Narellan 21; Mittagong 20; Campbelltown City 10; Picton 8.
*Game in hand
LEAGUE TAG:
Mittagong 0 Campbelltown City 76;
Moss Vale 0 Camden Rams 76.
LADDER: Camden 22; Campbelltown City, Thirlmere 19; Mt Annan 16; The Oaks 12; Moss Vale 8; Mittagong 2.
SECOND DIVISION:
Appin Dogs 19 Bargo Bunnies 0;
Narellan Jets 16 Robertson Spuddies 14;
Picton Magpies 44 Mt Annan Knights 6;
Warragamba Wombats 10 Moss Vale Dragons 26.
LADDER: Robertson 24; Appin 18; Warragamba, Narellan 17; Picton 16; Moss Vale 12; Bargo 8; Mt Annan 6.
NEXT WEEK Round 15 Sunday 2.30pm:
Campbelltown City vs The Oaks (Campbelltown Stadium);
Camden vs Oakdale.
♦ The Campbelltown City versus The Oaks will be the Group Six League Live broadcast match from 2pm Sunday. Click here to listen.
