THE Nowra-Bomaderry Jets claimed their maiden Group Seven Rugby League reserve grade crown on Saturday, defeating the Milton-Ulladulla Bulldogs 19-16 at Centenary Field.
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The Jets nearly opened the scoring in the sixth minute when a cross-field bomb by Rhys Fagerlund was left to bounce but winger Jayden Brody couldn't get to the ball before it went dead.
In the 11th minute, the Jets were reduced to 12 men when Chaise Sines was sib-binned for a high tackle of Dogs prop Callum Franchi.
Minutes after the first drinks break, despite being down a man, the Jets opened the scoring.
Fullback Blake Harris-David charged onto a Clyde Parsons pass and reached over the score, despite three Milton defenders.
Halfback Parsons converted and it was 6-nil after 18 minutes.
The minor premiers' lead was doubled in the 26th minute when a shift to the left created space for Jayden Brody to score just inside the corner flag.
Parsons converted from the sideline and it was 12-nil.
Minutes before half-time, the Dogs appeared to have reduced the margin but halfback Jesse Piekar was adjudged to have knocked the ball on over the line.
Salt was rubbed into the wounds of that Dogs' error when Parsons slotted a field-goal in the last play of the half, as the Jets led 13-nil at the break.
As the rain started to get heavier, ball handling became more of an issue, seeing both sides blow chances on the left edge near the try-line.
Just when it appeared the Dogs were set to open their accounts, Parsons plucked a pass out of the air and ran 70 metres to score under the sticks.
He converted his own try and the score was 19-nil with 20 to play.
The Dogs kept their faint chances alive with 12 to play when James Little touched down just inside the right corner.
Lock Cody Roach failed to convert and the score remained 19-4.
After two knocked down chances by Ty Cloos, the Dogs finally scored their second when Simon Harris sliced through next to the posts.
Roach converted and it was 19-10 with five to go.
The grandstand finish was set-up when Travis Wooden darted over from dummy-half.
Roach slotted the kick to make it 19-16 with two to go.
Despite two chances down the left, the Dogs couldn't find the winning four-pointer, as the Jets held on for the three-point win.
Best for the victors were Parsons (man of the match), Fagerlund, Jack Atfield and Kurt Quinlan while Harris, Blake Mackey, Steine Lofts and Little did all the could for the Dogs.