THE Nowra-Bomaderry Jets have moved one step closer to securing their spot in the Group Seven finals, after grinding out a tough 25-10 against the Warilla-Lake South Gorillas on Sunday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
With the winner of this match at the Nowra Showground moving into fifth spot on the ladder, with two rounds remaining, both teams started the game tense - with plenty of ball handling errors.
The hosts were the first to break through, when Dwyane Connors spotted a gap in the 13th minute.
The five-eighth's offload, followed by quick hands by Nathan Deaves and Josh Coulter, put winger Blake Harris-Davis over to score on the eastern touchline.
The hosts captain/coach Dylan Farrell missed the sideline conversion but slotted a penalty goal soon after, as the Jets held a converted try advantage.
In the 34th minute, the Jets' lead was doubled when a cross-field kick by Farrell was dropped by Gorillas winger Isaac Choice, into the hands of Tyson Simpson to score.
Farrell's conversion made it 12-nil, before a Coulter field-goal made it 13-nil to the Jets at the break.
Needing points to get back into the match, the Gorillas came out more determined and finally broke through in the 45th minute.
Second phase play, created by Hans Schuster, created space for five-eighth Jamie Burns, who stepped inside his defender to score.
Craig Nolan, who missed a penalty goal in the first half, failed to convert and it was 13-4.
This was as close as the visitors got, as the Jets had their third try in the 72nd minute.
A cut-out ball by Farrell put Ryan James into space down the right edge before the centre found Simpson on his inside to score his second of the afternoon.
Farrell made no mistake with the boot and it was 19-4 with seven to play.
To the Gorillas credit, they never stopped trying and were rewarded with a consolation try to Jake Goody in the 78th minute, which was converted by Kayne Brennan.
In the final minute of the game, the match was iced by the hosts when a slick backline play put their custodian PJ Ardler into space down the right, before he flicked it back into James to score out wide.
Farrell's fourth conversion from five attempts made it 25-10 at full-time.
In the win, Connors, Ardler, Zac Kershaw and Josh Power Farrell were instrumental while Brennan, Jake Goody, Hayden Goody and Duke Grant did all the could for the Gorillas.
Next week, the Jets travel to Kiama to clash with the Knights for fourth spot on the ladder, while the Gorillas will be out to keep their slim finals chances alive against the Stingrays at Cec Glenholmes Oval.