THE Nowra-Bomaderry Jets fell agonisingly short of claiming their inaugural West Wyalong Knockout on Saturday, losing a nail-biting final to Goulburn Workers 11-10.
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On their way to the decider, Dylan Farrell's squad of Jake Gould, Braydon Walsh, Nathan Falzon, Kuyan Wellington, Blake Harris Davis, Josh Coulter, Clyde Parsons, Dylan Buchanan, Rhys Fagurland, Zac Kershaw, Ryan James, Tyson Simpson, Josh Power-Farrell, Kurt Quinlan, Matt Rouen, Trent Waldron, Matt Dykstra, Chaise Sines and Timmy Williams, defeated West Wyalong 18-nil, Temora 6-nil and Forbes 24-nil.
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Then in the two-day tournament's final, the Jets jumped out to a 10-nil lead at half-time at Ron Crowe Oval.
But back-to-back tries and a late field goal by Mitch Cornish put Goulburn in front 11-10 with minutes remaining.
Despite the leaders having all the momentum, the Jets never gave up and appeared to have stolen the match at the death, through Ryan James, but the potential match-winning try was waved off by the officials - handing the Canberra Raiders Cup side their second straight West Wyalong crown.
"Although we lost the final, there are plenty of positives - the fact we kept every other team to nil speaks volumes of our attitude in defence," Jets captain/coach Farrell said.
"I was really pleased with the efforts of the boys throughout the whole weekend.
"The result gives that bit of reassurance that what we are doing in training does work if we apply it to our games.
"I'm sure the boys will take plenty of confidence into the season as well.
"Everyone knows when the Jets are on we, are hard to beat.
"Our challenge is going to be chasing that consistency - we are definitely on the right path."
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During their 49th annual knockout, which also included Group Nine's Southcity, Kangaroos, Temora and Young, Group 20's Tullibigeal Lakes United, Leeton and Griffith Black and Whites, Canberra Raiders Cup's Yass and Woden Valley and Group 11's Dubbo Maquarie and Forbes, a number of Group Seven officials were also involved.
Father and daughter William and Eleanor Drury refereed the event, with the latter becoming the first ever female to be the centre official of a men's first grade West Wyalong Knockout match.
Group Seven referees director Craig Jones was also in attendance on Saturday.