Narellan Jets stormed home to beat The Oaks 40-28 in the ultimate game of two halves on Sunday afternoon at Dudley Chesham Oval. MIKE SHEAN reports:
The Jets surged home late, scoring the last four tries of the match, including three in the last 5 minutes, to secure their first win of the season, over a disappointing Tigers outfit.
Narellan began the better in perfect autumn conditions on Sunday, with hooker Stuart Flanagan showing his experience by scoring after a dummy half scoot, giving the Jets a 6-0 lead in the round 2 fixture
Tigers captain/coach Mitchell Brasington levelled the scores on nine minutes, giving the locals some joy, as both sides settled into the match.
Neither side could score for about 10 minutes, before the Tigers went on a scoring spree in the second 20 minutes of play.
First, Michael Brasington, who ended with a double, crossed on the left hand side, and on 27 minutes, Josh Vandermeulen also scored on the left side, which would have been a concern for Narellan coach Paul Matthews.
The Tigers then added two more tries in the space of three minutes, when big Apolo Taeiloa crossed from close range, before Michael Brasington added his second, giving the home side a 24-6 lead, and total control of the match.
The Oaks scored shortly again after the start of play in the second half, with Brayden Goulding going over in the left corner after a long range team effort, which involved the dreaded second kick.
But this was to be the end of the scoring for the Tigers, as Narellan mounted a comeback which Lazarus would have been proud of.
Emeleki Taumalolo crossed for the Jets, giving their supporters some hope, and shortly after, halfback Jacob McKinnon crossed, reducing the margin to 28-18, with still more than 25 minutes left on the clock.
Flanagan’s second try made the margin four points, and with 20 minutes left the Jets knew they had the momentum, heading into the tail of the match.
Centre Taylam Halls crossed with five minutes left, giving the Jets a two point lead, before Rod Merritt scored, and McKinnon bagged his second on the final siren, giving Narellan a 40-28 win.
Narellan coach Paul Matthews was a relieved man after the match, knowing his side had produced a second half effort to be proud of.
Matthews said he told the side at halftime to stick to their structures and focus on their strengths, and this would get them home.
The coach praised Flanagan, McKinnon, Halls and Nepote Kavapalu as the better players in the win for the Jets, which gets their season under way.
Tigers captain/coach Mitchell Brasington suffered a leg injury in the match, and would have been frustrated in the way his side were brushed aside in the second half.
RESULTS – First Grade
Moss Vale Dragons 0 Campbelltown City 60;
The Oaks Tigers 28 Narellan Jets 40;
Camden Rams 30 Mittagong Lions 20.
Picton Magpies vs Oakdale Workers – deferred.
Thirlmere Roosters – Bye.
Reserve Grade –
The Oaks 18 Narellan 10;
Camden 28 Mittagong 24;
Thirlmere Roosters 30 Appin Dogs 20.
Picton Magpies vs Oakdale Workers and Moss Vale vs Campbelltown City – deferred.
Under 18 –
Thirlmere 30 Appin 20;
Camden 30 Mittagong 24.
Moss Vale vs Campbelltown City – deferred.
Second Division –
Bargo Bunnies 20 Narellan Jets 28;
Mt Annan Knights 0 Robertson Spuddies 36;
Picton Magpies 34 Warragamba Wombats 20
League Tag –
Moss Vale 0 Campbelltown City 62;
Camden 26 Mt Annan Barbarians 0;
Thirlmere 20 The Oaks 6.
