The Bears opened up an early 14-0 lead and then led 20-6 after they had dominated most of the first half. A superb try to Jets captain Jack A. Williams that involved several players, kept Newtown in the contest by trailing 20-12 at half-time.
The Newtown players lifted their defensive intensity in the second try, plus two tries to fullback Will Kennedy put the Jets in the lead by 24-20. The Bears levelled the scores but a critical penalty goal by halfback Braydon Trindall, put the Jets back in front at 26-24.
The Jets increased their lead to 30-24 through a try to skilful lock forward Billy Magoulias. The Bears hit back with their sixth try, but their goal-kicker sent the ball wide of the posts from close range.
Newtown survived several anxious moments to hang on to their two-points lead and advance to next weekend’s preliminary final round.
The Jets will now play St George-Illawarra in a Canterbury Cup NSW preliminary final at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium (Kogarah) this Sunday, September 22 at 3.10pm.
Zoom to first final
THE Newtown Jets have survived another week of sudden-death Canterbury Cup NSW rugby league, having seen off the North Sydney Bears 30-28 in a thrilling elimination semi-final played at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday.
