THE Nowra-Bomaderry Jets finally got the monkey off their back, by picking up their first win of the season against the Port Kembla Blacks at Noel Mulligan Oval.
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After a fairly scrappy first half from both ends there were a few nervous moments for the Jets, who struggled with ill-discipline and handling errors.
But they eventually fought their way back to win the game 30-18 after being down 12-10 at the half time break.
It was the Jets who opened the scoring in the first five minutes when centre Nathan Deaves found his way over the line.
Keiran Brandon deputised for usual goalkicker Ryan James, who was unable to kick due to an injury and added the extras to give the Jets a 6-nil lead.
While the first conversion attempt was successful, it was not a sign of things to come, with each side only landing one kick throughout the game.
But the Jets were unable to capitalise on their promising start and found themselves on the back foot when the Blacks scored two unanswered tries to give them a 12-6 lead.
The Jets were right back in it when Mark Brandon scored in the corner, to reduce the deficit to two at the oranges.
The Jets wasted no time is bouncing back, with Kurt Quinlan scoring his first try of the afternoon shortly after the resumption of play to put them back in front 14-12.
The visitors found their feet throughout the second half and extended their lead when Luke Francis scored their fourth try.
Their lead stretched out to 10 points when Kurt Quinlan crossed for his second to take the score to 22-12.
It looked like it could be touch and go in the late stages of the game as the Blacks put the visitors under a bit of pressure when they added a converted try to take them within four points.
But the Jets got some breathing space when Mark Brandon, who had a try disallowed just minutes before, crossed for his second to take the score to 26-18 with 13 minutes remaining.
Any chance of a Blacks comeback was dashed late in the piece when Nathan Deaves became the third Jets player to score a double, wrapping up the game 30-18.
Deaves, Mark Brandon, Zac Kershaw and Ryan James were the standouts for the Jets, while Mark Simon and Tane Sturmey did all they could for the Blacks.