Throw Back Thursday – A Boilover At Leichhardt Oval
Each week, thanks to CRYO, we take a lookback at a magical moment in our club’s history. This week’s tale is veryrecent.
ABOILOVER AT LEICHHARDT OVAL
It was an afternoon where the Jets,not for the first time in their illustrious history, defied the odds toregister an unlikely victory.
Minor premiers Penrith had not lost agame since May and had beaten Newtown in theirlast encounter at HensonPark, but a stirringdefence performance from the Jets, particularly during the last 15 minutes,propelled the club into its fourth grand final in 12 years. We are, of course,talking about the 2018 Intrust Super Premiership Preliminary Final.
Played in sweltering conditions atLeichhardt Oval, the Jets were behind the eight ball early after prop KurtDillon was assisted from the field in the opening stages.
The Panthers took the early initiativewith when Liam Martin crossed after 15 minutes. However, the Jets soon struckback when winger Bessie Aufaga-Toomaga crossed for a converted try in the 25thminute. Penrith regained the lead shortly after when Liam Colman finished off asweeping attacking movement, but two quick fire tries to Will Kennedy andRuebenn Rennie gave the Jets a 16-12 advantage at the break.
Newtownsurrendered that lead four minutes after the resumption when Reed Izzard scoredfor Penrith, but Briton Nikora put the Bluebags ahead 22-18 when he scored offa superb pass from Blayke Brailey. Nikora soon had a double when he pounced ona perfectly placed grubber from Kyle Flanagan, in turn giving the Jets a 28-18lead with less than 20 minutes remaining.
Penrith’s Adam Keighran set up agrandstand finish when he chased down a Wade Egan kick to put his side withinfour points, but a 15 minute defensive masterclass from the desperate Jets wasenough to put them in the big dance against Canterbury.
Newtown 28(B.Nikora 2, B.Aufaga-Toomaga, W.Kennedy, R.Rennie tries; K.Flanagan 4 goals)def. Penrith 24 (L.Martin, L.Coleman, R.Izzard, A.Keighran tries; Keighran 4goals)
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