Powered by several Sharks players, the Newtown Jets retained the Frank Hyde Shield with a commanding 36-22 win over the North Sydney Bears in Saturday's NSW Cup clash at Henson Park.
Unfortunately, Cronulla's under-21 Jersey Flegg Cup team couldn't get the job done in the preceding game, falling to the ladder-leading Storm 34-6.
Returning from NRL duty, Daniel Atkinson played a leading hand at five-eighth for the Jets, directly laying on one try and splitting the line in the lead-up to another. Halfback Niwhai Puru was also influential with a try assist and six goals.
It looks like you may be using adblocking software to view this site.
Many features on the site, such as video playback, may not work properly when using adblocking software.
Please whitelist our domain or disable your adblocker to access all features and videos.
The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup Highlights | Round 18 - Jets v Bears
Having beaten the Bears 24-12 only a fortnight ago in their first meeting since last year's grand final victory, the fourth-placed Jets picked up where they left off with a try to winger Eli Clark in the first minute from a clever Atkinson pass.
North Sydney responded with a try to Jake Toby off a charge-down, but the Jets led 18-10 at the break courtesy of four-pointers to forward Brad Fearnley and centre Michael Gabrael, who profited from a Billy Burns grubber. The Bears crossed on the stroke of half-time to slightly take the wind out of Newtown's sails.
But after a silky break from Atkinson, Gabrael secured his double early in the second half when he latched onto a pinpoint cross-field kick from Puru. Clark then clinched his second try following slick play from fullback Taj Ford.
Back-to-back North Sydney tries in the final 10 minutes made it interesting, but Jets front-rower Felix Faatili stormed over at the death to pad out the margin.
In the earlier match, the young Sharks had their backs to the wall from the start against a red-hot Melbourne outfit, conceding a try in the opening minute.
The first half was reasonably tight, with the Storm up 12-0 at the interval, but the visitors eventually saw off the challenge and kicked clear. Second-rower Lajuan Vito scored Cronulla's only try in the 70th minute.
Newtown tackle Manly at Henson Park on Saturday afternoon, while the Flegg Sharks also take on the Sea Eagles in an NRL curtain-raiser on Friday night.
Lead photo by MAF Photography
