The Dragons ran out 34-24 winners over the Jets at Collegians on Saturday afternoon in what proved a welcome boost to their finals hopes.
With scores tied at 18-apiece with a half-hour to play, it was Knock-On Effect NSW Cup debutant Ashton Ward who found a needed try to spur a late Dragons surge and seal the competition points.
Match: Dragons v Jets
Round 25 -
home Team
Dragons
6th Position
away Team
Jets
3rd Position
Venue: Collegians Sporting Complex, Wollongong
Blake Hosking scurried through to fall on a Niwhai Puru grubber and open the scoring for the hosts off an early penalty.
The Red V answered soon after through Savelio Tamale who stepped his way over the line after a sweeping Haele Finau created an overlap off an attacking scrum.
Jonah Glover added the extras to tie things up almost a quarter of the way into proceedings.
An error off the corresponding kick-off paved the way for the visitors to re-take the lead through Jackson Ferris.
Dan Russell earnt the hosts a repeat set soon after with Connor Muhleisen finding a try out of dummy-half to lock things back up at a dozen a half-hour in.
Dylan Egan took in a Jets grubber on his own line and motored 70 metres downfield before being rounded up however the visitors’ defence held strong off it.
Finau’s ball-playing again came up trumps the Dragons’ next set with the No.1 zipping down the right edge and handing it off to Ben Johnson to give his side their first lead of the encounter.
Glover remained perfect with the boot to make it 18-12 the way of the Dragons headed into the break.
Johnson nearly grabbed a second on the other side of the half off a ricocheted Glover grubber only for the officials to pick up a late bobble.
The Jets managed a response 50 minutes in through back rower Jordin Lieu who slid through a hole off Puru as the seesawing nature of the affair persisted.
A knock-on off the corresponding kick-off gifted the hosts an attacking opportunity with Josh Coric held up over the line off it.
Ward introduced himself to the Knock-On Effect NSW Cup in style moments later with Raymond Faitala-Mariner skying to knock a Glover kick back into the waiting arms of his five-eighth who scurried his way over.
Knock-On Effect NSW Cup Highlights: Round 25
The Dragons extended their lead moments later with Glover venturing down the short side on the last and opting to put in a chip kick.
The No.7 outleapt Jets fullback Tyla Tamou to pluck his own kick out of the air and cross for an outstanding try as the hosts’ buffer grew beyond a converted try.
Coric’s quest for a four-pointer was again denied with the prop held up over the line for a second time late before Russell went aerial to snatch a Ward kick out of the air and slam it down as Ben Woolf’s men marched towards a handy victory.
Tuku Hau Tapuha grabbed one in the final stages for the Jets off a Dragons drop but it proved in vain with the hosts holding on to win it.
