In a crucial win as they attempt to keep pace with the leading teams in the Intrust Super Premiership, the Newtown Jets have edged out traditional rivals the North Sydney Bears in their round 10 match yesterday.
In a match played for the Frank Hyde Shield, a trophy named in honour of the legendary broadcaster who played for both clubs, it was a 72nd minute try to Edrick Lee after the winger claimed an intercept and dashed 95 metres to score, braking the deadlock and helping the Jets record a narrow 16-12 win.
In a game where neither team could break away and assert any real dominance, a try apiece saw them go to half time level at six points all, the Jets four-pointer coming through young centre Jesse Ramien in the 15th minute of the match.
Jordan Drew would put the Newtown side up when his try and a Fa’amanu Brown goal made it 12-6, before the Bears responded in locking up the scores with a converted try of their own.
Then came the Lee try in last 10 minutes of the match, the Sharks and Jets flyer streaking away with the long-range effort to break the tie and send Newtown home as winners for the fourth time in 10 games this season.
The victory was a meritorious one, coming against a Bears team which was firmly entrenched in the top four prior to Sunday’s game.
The Jets moved to eight competition points and into eight position on the ISP ladder.
The next match for the Jets is against Illawarra at Henson Park on Saturday. Kick off will be at 3.00pm.
Newtown Jets 16
Jesse Ramien, Edrick Lee, Jordan Drew tries; Fa’amanu Brown 2 goals
def
North Sydney Bears 12
B Burns, S Moceidreke tries; E Levido 2 goals
