The North Sydney Bears have secured consecutive Grand Final appearances after a nail-biting 18-16 win over the Newtown Jets in The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup Major Semi-final at Leichhardt Oval today.
The Jets will now turn their attention to the Preliminary final next week against the Canberra Raiders with both teams fighting to secure a spot in this year’s Grand Final on the 29 September.
Earlier today, the Canberra Raiders ended the Penrith Panthers season with a convincing 30-14 win in the Minor Semi-final.
Major Semi-final: (1st) North Sydney Bears 18 def (2nd) Newtown Jets 16
Off the back of two consecutive sets on their line, the Jets sent the ball out to the right creating an overlap for winger Sam Stonestreet to score the first try of the day (4-0).
The Bears hit back only seven minutes later through back rower Matt Stimson, who regathered possession after the Jets knocked the ball on from a fifth-play kick (6-4).
The Jets spine combined beautifully in the 22nd minute sending the ball out to centre Jordan Swann, who broke through the defensive line to score (10-6).
The Bears halves worked together to steal the win just before the break with halfback Harradyn Wilson kicking into the in-goal for five-eighth Ben Stevanovic to ground (12-10).
North Sydney extended their lead out to eight points in the 48th minute, after frantic play on the last saw the ball pass through several pairs of hands before finding Ben Talty, who crossed for a converted try.
A cut-out pass from Jets fullback Liam Ison saw Stonestreet bag his second try of the night in similar fashion to his first to bring Newtown to within two points with15 minutes remaining.
Despite the Jets throwing everything at the Bears in attack in the final 10 minutes, the Bears defence proved to be the difference, with North Sydney securing at 18-14 win.
Minor Semi-final: (3rd) Canberra Raiders 30 def (5th) Penrith Panthers 14
The Raiders opened the scoring in the seventh minute through Nick Cotric who passed the ball to his winger Jed Stuart to score (4-0).
The Raiders seemed waste no time extending their lead out to 16-0 with two converted tries to centre James Schiller and forward Emre Guller.
Canberra added more salt to the wound for Penrith, with second rower Simi Sasagi crashing through Panthers defensive line (22-0).
Penrith finally found points in the 37th minute, shifting the ball out to the right creating an overlap for winger Asu Kepaoa to dive over in the corner to bring the score to 22-4 at half time.
Raiders started the second half similar to the first, easily marching their way up the field before passing the ball to outside back Mitchell Spencer who crashed over (28-4).
After three consecutive sets, Penrith finally found a way to break through the Raiders defensive line with hooker Luke Sommerton stepping past defenders to score under the posts (28-10).
A penalty 20 metres out saw the Raiders opt to take the two to extend their lead out to 20 points with seven minutes remaining (30-10).
A late consolation try to Penrith Captain Tyrone Peachey brought the score to 30-14 with the Panthers season unfortunately coming to an end.
