THE Nowra Bomaderry Jets ran up a probable record score against the Albion Park-Oak Flats Eagles and moved into clear third spot on the points table with two games to play after a resounding 66 – 16 win at Centenary Field on Sunday.
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The Jets continued their entertaining play running in 12 tries to three with five-eighth Steve Brandon crossing four times and Nathan Falzon and Mat Rouen for two each and the third spot is something they would only dreamt about at the start of the season.
There were many stars in the Jets team but none better than Ryan James who surely must be the most improved player in the competition and the Eagles had no answer to his many great runs.
The Eagles who were without experienced players Sean Jenkins and Matt Carroll were on the back foot from the start and Steve Brandon crossed for his first try after four minutes and then Ryan James scored after great work from Mark and Steve Brandon.
It was obvious the Eagles were going to be in for a long day unless they could improve their defence but a dropped ball resulted in another Steve Brandon try converted by Mark and after 11 minutes it was 18-nil.
The scoring orgy continued with Mat Rouen brushing off some poor defence to score for Mark Brandon to goal and at 24-nil the game was as good as over.
In the 24th minute Bugsy Gray stole the ball and winger Blake Jones got the Eagles on the board at 24-4 but the Jets hit back with a typical Mick Blattner try barging over under the posts for Mark Brandon to convert before a 40/20 kick from Geoff Johnson saw the hard working Zac Kershaw score and then a great burst from James sent Mark Brandon over and at half time the Jets led 38-4.
The second half began as the first with another James run for Nathan Falzon to score and Keiran Brandon took over the goalkicking.
Steve Brandon scored his third try in the 50th minute and when Matt Rouen brushed off poor defence to cross under the posts and Keiran Brandon converted the score passed the half-century.
To their credit the Eagles came back with a try to Dean Gray from dummy half, then a good try when five eight Chris Rowles short kicked and Blake Jones gathered to score and when Matt Arblaster converted and it was 54-16.
But in the closing minutes tries were added by Steve Brandon and Nick Falzon and James showed his versatility by converting both and mercifully for the Eagles the full time siren came at 66-16.
A great display by the Jets and many good players none better then Ryan Jones, Steve Brandon, Mat Rouen, Zac Kershaw and Geoff Johnson and it was a case of the Brandon boys were every here and Dean Gray, Blake Jones and Chris Rowles tried hard for the Eagles who face Gerringong next week.