Starved of the ball and down 16-0 midway through the first half, it was always going to be a long way back for the Newtown Jets, and that's how it played out, with Mounties holding off a second half fightback to win 22-16 in the round 15 Intrust Super Premiership match at Henson Park.
With 75 per cent of the ball in the first half an hour of the contest, three Mounties tries, two to fullback Brad Abbey had the visitors up 16-0 and the Jets hoping for a change in fortune.
The opening four-pointer came when hooker Craig Garvey ran through a gaping hole in the Sharks defensive line, the second after Abbey managed to get on the outside of his opposite number, then the third when the talented Mounties number one jumped over the top of Jets fullback Will Kennedy in crossing for his second.
Two of the three tries were converted and Mounties led 16-0.
That lead would push out to 22-0 following a fourth Mounties try, however the Newtown side managed to get on the board late in the half when Bessie Aufuga-Toomaga finished off a clever passing movement to score wide out.
Unfortunately Kyle Flanagan was unable to add the two points from a difficult angle and the teams went to the break with Mounties leading 22-4.
Following their slow start the Jets were back in the arm wrestle and they were rewarded for their persistence when Billy Magoulias collected a smart little grubber kick from Blayke Brailey to touch down adjacent to the posts.
Flanagan kicked the conversion and with around 18 minutes of the match remaining, it was 22-10 Mounties.
Newtown continued to press but it would take them until the 74th minute to close the gap, Matt Evans scoring in the corner off a Aaron Gray pass.
Flanagan curled the kick between the posts from an acute angle, giving the Jets some hope at 22-16, but despite having a chance to draw level late in the contest, Mounties would hold firm, claim the two competition points and remain on top of the ISP ladder.
The Jets had a number of strong performers, with Gray solid at right centre, Kennedy tried his best to inject some energy into the attack, while Scott Sorensen and Briton Nikora threatened on the edges.
JETS 16 Bessie Aufaga-Toomaga, Billy Magoulias, Matt Evans tries, Kyle Flanagan 2 goals Lost to MOUNTIES 22
