After establishing a handy half time lead the Newtown Jets have withstood a spirited comeback from the Newcastle Knights to score an 18-16 win in their round 14 Intrust Super Premiership clash.
In a match played at the Cessnock Sports Ground, the Knights were first on the board before Daniel Mortimer crossed for the Jets, with the conversion locking the scores up at 6-apiece.
From there Newtown dominated the opening 40 minutes, with tries to youngster Jesse Ramien and lanky winger Edrick Lee sending the Jets to half time up 18-6 and looking comfortable.
In wet and slippery conditions the first 20 minutes of the second half saw no change to the scoreboard until a try and conversion to Trent Hodkinson made it a contest with plenty of time left on the clock.
The Knights would score again, with Hodkinson missing the kick from wide out, setting up a grandstand finish.
Newcastle would throw plenty at the Jets but the visitors held first and claimed an important victory and two competition points that see them remain inside the top eight on the Intrust Super Premiership ladder.
The next assignment for the Newtown side is a game against the Blacktown Workers/Sea Eagles at Henson Park on Saturday.
Newtown Jets 18
Daniel Mortimer, Jesse Ramien, Edrick Lee tries; Fa’amnu Brown 3 goals
Defeated
Newcastle Knights 16
Sam Mataora, Trent Hodkinson, Tom Hughes tries; Trent Hodkinson 2 goals
