Throw Back Thursday – Seventh Heaven – Seven Years Ago
Each week thanks toCryo, we look back at a significant moment in our rich history. Today, weremember a victorious last Sunday in September.
SEVENTHHEAVEN - SEVEN YEARS AGO
Seven years ago, onSunday 30 September 2012, the Newtown Jets completed one of the greatestcomeback stories in the history of Australian sport by beating BalmainRyde-Eastwood Tigers 22-18 in the NSW Cup Grand Final.
It was anachievement 29 years in the making. After seven years of emptiness followingour expulsion from the top grade in 1983, nine eventful years in theMetropolitan Cup and 13 seasons in the NSW Cup, (including two grand finallosses) we had finally done it!
There was plenty ofexcitement surrounding the game as both teams were foundation clubs and hadlast contested a premiership decider in 1944. Additionally, both teams hadbattled hard to reach the big dance. Newtown finished the regular season in 7thand our opponents had finished 8th.
On a surprisinglywarm September day at ANZ Stadium, Newtown dominated possession early andscored first when winger Daniel Tupou leapt above the pack to take DanielMortimer’s cross-field kick. The Jets soon enjoyed a 12-0 lead after JackBosden barged over midway through the first half.
However, the Tigerssoon struck back when Ava Seumanufagai touched down. Balmain Ryde-Eastwood thenwent back-to-back when Sean Meaney chased down a Nathan Waters grubber and athalf time, the Jets held a 12-10 lead.
The Tigers carriedthis momentum into the second half, taking a 14-12 lead when replacement DaneChisholm crossed five minutes after the resumption, but by the 50th minute, theJets were back in front 16-14 after centre Francis Vaiotu completed a nice blindsideraid.
The see-saw natureof the game continued throughout the second-term with Balmain-Ryde Eastwoodsticking their nose ahead thanks to a try to Josh Davis, but Meaney’s waywardgoal-kicking kept the Jets within two points with 13 minutes remaining.
The decisive momentof the game came in the 71st minute when livewire hooker Nafe Seluini caughtthe Tigers’ goal-line defence napping to nip over from dummy-half, in turnsecuring the club’s first reserve grade premiership since 1974!
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