It was certainly an improvement on the 40-point flogging they received the week prior, however the Newtown Jets likely left North Sydney Oval somewhat disappointed after playing out a draw with the Bears.
The teams finished level on 20 points all, but it may go down as a lost opportunity with a young Jets team failing to register a win after building a 20-6 lead during the second half of the match.
Fielding a side which included four Sharks Jersey Flegg-eligible players in Franklin Pele, Jonaiah Lualua, Jensen Taumoepeau and Kayal Iro, the Jets were in control for much of the contest, only to let their opponents off the hook, a Matt Ikuvalu try for the North Sydney side levelling up the scores with only two minutes left on the clock.
After hyped Roosters youngster Joseph Suaalii opened the scoring in the ninth minute, the Jets assumed control, three first half tries taking them to the break up by 14-6, before a second Luke Metcalf four-pointer, converted by Braydon Trindall, made it 20-6 and the Newtown team appeared to be cruising to victory.
Then in a final quarter of the match not dissimilar to the Sharks v Rooster NRL clash the previous night, Norths responded, three tries in the last 30 minutes evening up proceedings, before the conversion attempt to win the game for the Bears was waved away.
The performance, notwithstanding the disappointment of the final result, was a marked improvement for a Newtown team that was soundly beaten by the Raiders in the most recent match.
The one competition point saw the Jets move off the bottom of the NSW Cup ladder after a win and draw from their five games played, with their next assignment a match against the Newcastle Knights on Saturday.
The game against the Knights will be their first at Henson Park in 2021, with the Jets to honour the recently deceased Tommy Raudonikis, the captain of their 1981 Grand Final team.
JETS 20
Luke Metcalf 2, Jonaiah Lualua, Bronson Garlick tries, Braydon Trindall 2 goals
drew
BEARS 20
Lead photo - courtesy Mario Facchini - mafphotography
