THE Nowra-Bomaderry Jets have produced the comeback of the season, as they kept Kiama scoreless in the second half and turned a 28-4 first half deficit into an amazing come from behind 30-28 upset victory over the Knights at Kiama Showground on Sunday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
In a thrilling and entertaining game of rugby league, the Knights had a commanding 28-4 lead 30 minutes into the match and were on track to claim their eighth consecutive victory and keep their unbeaten home record intact.
But the Jets showed a lot heart and character as they muscled up in defence and piled on 26 unanswered points in order to cement back to back victories but most importantly keep their 2018 finals chances alive.
The hosts started the game in great fashion as they raced to an early 16-nil lead as Tobey Nobes pounced on a Dylan Farrell grubber kick towards the in goal area and assisted Dylan Morris with a 90 metre range try.
Morris secured a second try minutes later while Cameron Cornell scored off the back of simple right side attacking shift, as Vazzoler landed two conversions.
The Jets finally got out of their own territory as captain/coach Dylan Farrell got his side on the scoreboard, as he shrugged off a few defenders close to the Knights try line for his effort.
The Jets trailed 16-4.
The Knights had a knack of turning defence straight into attack during the first period and further proved why they are a real force in 2018, as Matt Morris assisted Brad Scott with a brilliant 50 metre range try before Dylan Morris clinched a first half hat-trick.
Vazzoler slotted two more goals including one from the sideline, which gave his side a 28-4 lead.
Nowra fought their way back into the contest as centre Ryan James, who threatened the Knights defence on multiple occasions, grabbed a first half double off the back of enterprising attacking raids inside the Knights 20 metre zone.
Zac Blattner landed one conversion and at half-time Kiama led 28-14.
During the opening stages of the second period, both sides struggled to replicate their first half attacking heroics as mistakes and fatigue started to creep its way into the battle.
However Nowra narrowed the gap as Dylan Farrell and Ryan James combined for an excellent try off the back of a midfield scrum before Nathan Falzon was helped by a clever passing game from the Jets halves for his converted effort.
Kiama led 28-24.
The Knights showed a lot of desperation in defence as they tried to keep their four point buffer.
Their task got a whole lot harder as they were forced to play the last 10 minutes of the game without Cameron Vazzoler, who was sin-binned.
Nowra took advantage of a 12-man Knights side as Farrell helped Nathan Falzon’s second try from close proximity with a brilliant cut out ball.
Nowra led 30-28 with five minutes to go as Farrell would be sin-binned which gave Kiama one last crack with a scrum on the halfway line right on full-time but the Jets scrambled and held on by the skin of their teeth and claimed a terrific 30-28 victory.
Ryan James and Dylan Farrell were both outstanding while Nathan Falzon, Jake Gould and Kurt Quinlan were also impressive for Nowra-Bomaderry while Luke Sutton, Dylan Morris, Cameron Cornell, Tom Atkins and Brent Wake played their hearts out for the Knights.
