The ladder-leading Jersey Flegg Sharks were run down after taking a lead to half time, while the Newtown Jets fell behind early and were never able to recover, with both teams suffering round 13 losses in matches played at Henson Park on Saturday.
After leading 14-12 at the break, the under 21 Sharks were beaten 30-18 by the Wests Tigers, and it was the Wests Magpies coming out on top in the NSW Cup clash in toppling the Jets by 32-22.
For the Flegg Sharks, it was a disappointing loss and one which saw them drop from first to fourth on the competition ladder, one point behind leaders the Melbourne Storm and level with the Eels and Raiders.
The Sharks began strongly, three tries in the opening 20 minutes, two from winger Pharell Gray and they had built a 14-4 advantage, before two unconverted Tigers tries saw the teams go to half time with the young Cronulla side up by two.
The Tigers would maintain their momentum in the early stages of the second period, earning their first lead with a 41st minute try, before another shortly after, and after the four pointers were converted they were in control at 24-14.
A try to barnstorming prop Felix Faatili gave the Sharks some hope going into the final 20 minutes of the match however their opponents would cross the line for a sixth try soon after in sealing a 12-point win.
In the game to follow the Jets were on the backfoot early, two tries by the Magpies establishing a 12-0 lead for the visitors, Newtown would respond, however courtesy of a penalty goal and another converted try and Wests would go up 20-6 at the break.
As hard as the Jets would try to get themselves back into the contest, with late tries to Taj Ford, Niwhai Puru and Blake Hosking, the Magpies would hold firm, the 32-22 loss seeing the Newtown side drop to fifth on the NSW Cup ladder.
Despite the loss, the Jets would claim the Tom Raudonikis Cup, a trophy named in honour of the former NSW and Australian halfback who represented both the Newtown and Western Suburbs clubs, with the Cup going to the team with the best accumulative points total from the two matches played during the season.
The Flegg Sharks will now look to regroup ahead of a game against the Warriors on Saturday afternoon, while the Jets are up against the first-placed New Zealand side at Henson Park, also on Saturday.
