THE Nowra-Bomaderry Jets moved one step closer to securing their semi-final spot on Sunday, when they defeated reigning premiers the Shellharbour Sharks 22-10 at Ron Costello Oval - win which captain/coach Dylan Farrell labelled their "biggest of the season".
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The hosts opened the scoring in 11th minute when Matt Carroll hit Michael McKinley with cut-out pass, which helped the winger break the line and score.
Half Carroll failed to convert from the sideline and it was 4-nil.
Twelve minutes later, the Sharks had their second, following a sloppy penalty by the Jets.
Off the ensuing set of six, Carroll's footwork saw him step inside his opposite number and score next to the sticks.
The skipper converted his own try and it was 10-nil.
In the 35th minute, the Jets finally broke through when a smart shortside pass by Jake Gould put Blake Harris-Davis over in the corner.
Dylan Farrell failed to convert and it was 10-4.
A Ryan James break down the right edge nearly led to the Jets scoring right on half-time but his offload was grounded by Farrell, as the hosts led by six at the break.
The opening 20 minutes of the second half saw both teams blow numerous chances to add to their tally, with the best falling or the Jets - a quick exchange between Farrell and Dwyane Connors put the latter through before his pass to Josh Coulter went to ground.
But his moment proved pivotal, as the game opened up in the Jets favour.
The visitors didn't have to wait long for another chance, when a shift to the right saw Ryan James barge over from close range.
Farrell landed the conversion to level the scores at 10-all with 16 minutes to play.
After end-to-end action, the Jets grabbed their first lead of the match in the 68th minute, when Farrell landed a penalty goal from 25 metres out.
The lead was extended for the visitors, following three straight sets on the Sharks line, when James flicked the ball back in before going out, which led to Farrell offloading to Nathan Deaves to score.
Farrell missed the chance to extend the lead to eight, as the Jets led 16-10 with three to play.
But the missed conversion meant little, as Deaves scored his second try minutes later, after he stepped through the line, to secure the Jets an impressive 22-10 win following Farrell's conversion.
In the win, the Jets' right edge of Farrell, James and Tyson Simpson were all standouts, as was fullback Jake Gould, while Kiran Tranter, Jack Kavanagh, Carroll and Matt Coltman did what they could for the hosts.
The win keeps Nowra-Bomaderry in fourth spot on the ladder, on 19 points, behind Jamberoo (23), Gerringong (22), Shellharbou (21) and ahead of Kiama (17) and Warilla-Lake South (16), with four rounds remaining.
Next up for the Jets is a trip to Kevin Walsh Oval to face competition front-runners the Superoos, while the Sharks travel to the Berry Showground to face the Magpies.