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The Ipswich Jets have backed up their Grand Final win in the Queensland Cup last week by downing the Newcastle Knights 26-12 to secure the 2015 State Championship.
Renown for their unique approach to rugby league, the Ipswich Jets coached by former Brisbane and South Sydney playmakers Ben and Shane Walker, produced a scintillating first half display of attacking football, supplemented by resilient defence in the second.
Ipswich wasted little time asserting themselves in the contest, coming up with a try to Manly-bound hooker Matt Parcell after just two minutes.
Shortly afterwards Duncan Hall Medalist Billy McConnachie charged over from close range to extend the Jets lead to 12-0 after as many minutes.
Needing to respond, the Knights relied heavily upon the boot of departing five-eighth Carlos Tuimavave, whose constant bombing of Ipswich fullback Carlin Anderson drew results before the break.
After establishing themselves in the Jets half interchange hooker George Ndaira burrowed over from close range to get Newcastle back in the contest at 14-6.
Newcastle looked to extend their lead moments before the break, but a knock on by Marvin Filipo provided Ipswich flyer Marmin Barba an opportunity to race the length of the field to give the Jets a 20-6 lead at halftime.
Needing to respond to the Jets relentless tactics, the Knights were able to post points early in the second half courtesy of a four-pointer finished off by halfback Jaelen Feeney following a strong run by George Ndaira.
With the scores at 20-12, Newcastle continually pressured the Jets line but were unable to capitalise on their wealth of possession.
Great try-saving defence from Ipswich winger Richard Pandia prevented Honeti Tuha from grounding the ball for the Knights, while NRL player Danny Levi was also held up by the Jets defence.
Tensions flared up during the second half when a fracas between Jake Mamo and several Ipswich players saw the Knights fullback leave the field injured.
After several missed opportunities, the Jets pounced on a Knights mistake when Rod Griffin displayed good footwork to touch down for the match-winning try ten minutes from fulltime.
With the Knights unable to replicate their performance from last week against Wyong, the career of NRL veteran Clint Newton was brought to a close, while Ipswich captain Keiron Lander also played his last game before retiring.
Ipswich Jets 26 Newcastle Knights 12
Venue: ANZ Stadium
Halftime Score: Ipswich Jets 20 Newcastle Knights 6
IPSWICH JETS (26)
Tries: Matt Parcell, Billy McConnachie, Marmin Barba, Rod Griffin
Conversions: Carlin Anderson (4/4)
Penalty Goals: Carlin Anderson (1/1)
NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS (12)
Tries: George Ndaira, Jaelen Feeney
Conversions: George Ndaira (2/2)
3 points - Billy McConnachie
2 points - Matt Parcell
1 point - Rod Griffin
Welcome to League Unlimited's coverage of the State Championship between the Newcastle Knights and Ipswich Jets.
The Knights claimed the NSW Cup with a 20-10 victory over Wyong Roos last Sunday; Ipswich overcame the Townsville Blackhawks 32-20 to win their first Queensland Cup title.
This is only the second State Championship clash on NRL Grand Final day, last year the Northern Pride came from behind to beat Penrith 32-28.
Both sides will take the field with the same squads that were victorious last week; NRL legend Clint Newton will play his final game before retiring.
Ipswich are coming onto ANZ Stadium, led out by captain Keiron Lander.
In his final game, Clint Newton takes the Newcastle Knights onto the field for their first appearance on NRL Grand Final day since 2006.
LATE CHANGE: Chris Walker is in for Ipswich.
Newcastle kick off and the State Championship is underway.
Matt Parcell draws a penalty for the Jets.
2: TRY IPSWICH JETS
Scored by Matt Parcell. Kick to come.
He got 5 tries a few weeks ago, and the Manly-bound #9 scores first for Ipswich.
3: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION IPSWICH JETS
Conversion attempt by Carlin Anderson successful.
Anderson adds the extras. Ipswich 6-0.
4: Clint Newton comes up with possession for Newcastle, picking up a loose pass from Rod Griffin.
5: Lachlan Fitzgibbon comes up with a mistake, but Kurtis Lingwoodock is down for Ipswich.
6: Ken Tofilau comes up with the ball for Newcastle.
7: Tuimavave puts a high ball up and gets a result after Anderson knocks on.
8: Newcastle with a chance.
8: Ken Tofilau is over, but we'll check the grounding.
8: NO TRY. The Knights winger loses possession trying to ground the ball.
9: The Jets look for a last tackle shift, but the ball goes into touch.
10: Newcastle make an error, the Jets back on the attack.
11: TRY IPSWICH JETS
Scored by Billy McConnachie. Kick to come.
Like a bull out of a gate, Billy McConnachie crashes down underneath the posts. Jets 10-0 KTC.
11: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION IPSWICH JETS
Conversion attempt by Carlin Anderson successful.
Anderson converts from in front.
13: Cleeland puts a nice kick in that is collected by Tofilau.
14: Tuimavave bombs, this time Anderson is able to hold the ball.
15: Jake Mamo allows the ball to roll dead.
16: The Knights will get a line drop out.
17: The Jets try a short drop out and find touch.
18: The Jets feed a scrum 30 metres out from their own line.
19: Marmin Barba is cut down, but earns a penalty.
19: The Jets elect to take the 2 points on offer.
19: SUCCESSFUL PENALTY GOAL IPSWICH JETS
Penalty goal attempt by Carlin Anderson successful.
Ipswich lead 14-0.
20: Ipswich make an error on the last tackle. Newcastle to start a set just short of the halfway line.
23: Tuimavave bombs, but the Jets have the ball once again.
24: Jake Mamo makes a strong kick return up to the 40 metre line.
24: George Ndaira on for the Knights.
25: Ipswich come up with a scrum despite the protests of the Knights.
25: Tama Koopu on for the Knights.
26: Jake Mamo gets a penalty.
27: Ndaira makes a scurry from dummy half.
28: Anderson knocks on trying to pick up a Newcastle grubber. Knights scrum feed.
28: Michael Steele takes his first run for the Knights.
28: George Ndaira is claiming a try. We'll check with the video.
28: TRY NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Scored by George Ndaira. Kick to come.
He started the year as the assistant coach and now he's got the Knights on the board.
29: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Conversion attempt by George Ndaira successful.
From in front, Ndaira converts. 14-6 Jets.
31: Marmin Barba tries a short kickoff, but Kerrod Holland is able to gather the ball up.
31: Joseph Tapine almost goes into touch.
31: Jacob Safiti loses possession for the Knights.
33: Jaelen Feeney is swarmed by a host of Ipswich players in goal. Line drop out.
33: Clint Newton is down receiving attention from the Knights trainer.
34: Marmin Barba is forced into touch.
35: Marvin Filipo takes a bust for the Knights in his final appearance for the club.
35: Tuimavave bombs, Tofilau catches and gets a result. Ipswich knock on, Newcastle scrum.
37: Filipo is cut down and loses the ball close to the line.
37: TRY IPSWICH JETS
Scored by Marmin Barba. Kick to come.
From the Knights error, Barba races the length of the field to score.
38: That's his 31st try this year. What a season from the brother of Ben Barba.
39: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION IPSWICH JETS
Conversion attempt by Carlin Anderson successful.
He didn't have the best day with the boot last week, but Anderson has been perfect today.
40: That's the first half. Ipswich lead 20-6.
40: Barba kicks off and the Jets get a scrum feed from the short re-start.
41: Cleeland kicks for the in-goal, but the ball travels dead.
43: TRY NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Scored by Jaelen Feeney. Kick to come.
Great work by the Knights.
43: Ndaira with a bust from dummy half links up with his halfback to get the Knights back in the contest.
44: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Conversion attempt by George Ndaira successful.
From in front, the former assistant coach narrows the scores to 20-12.
44: Kerrod Holland is able to dive on Barba's short kick off.
45: Honeti Tuha comes up with a great grubber kick to force another set.
46: The Jets short kick off philosophy backfires, the ball barely travelled 5 metres!
47: Newcastle come up with a bad error to let Ipswich off the hook.
48: Phillips bombs but Tofilau is able to collect the high ball.
49: The Knights have come out with plenty of enthusiasm so far in the second half.
49: George Ndaira is down with an arm injury; Danny Levi is back on for Newcastle
50: Billy McConnachie nails Ken Tofilau with a massive shot.
50: Newcastle get a penalty.
52: Honeti Tuha may have scored a remarkable try, but we'll check with the video for confirmation.
52: Richard Pandia take a bow!
52: No Try. That is a fantastic tackle by Pandia.
52: Jake Mamo is ruled to have knocked on trying to score a try. Ipswich off the hook.
53: Mamo flirts with the dead ball line but gets away with it.
55: Cleeland snatches a Tuimavave kick to defuse a Newcastle attacking raid.
55: Lachlan Fitzgibbon is penalised for a tackle deemed dangerous on Carlin Anderson.
57: Mamo knocks the ball dead. Newcastle will re-start play with a line drop out.
59: Fitzgibbon knocks on, Ipswich to get another set of six.
60: Valekapa makes a mistake close to the tryline. Newcastle will be looking to hit back.
60: George Ndaira is in an arm sling, his day is done.
61: Tuimavave kicks, Anderson collects.
61: There's a stink!
61: Jake Mamo is down.
61: Mamo is being escorted off the field, big blow for the Knights.
61: Newcastle to receive the penalty.
61: Strong run by Sironen close to the line.
61: Ipswich concede a penalty on their line.
62: Ipswich give away another penalty.
62: Danny Levi held up over the line.
62: We're checking with the video, but once again Ipswich come up with another try-saving tackle.
63: Tuimavave forces a drop out. The Knights need to capitalise on their wealth of possession.
65: Newton tackled a metre out from the line.
65: FORWARD PASS!!!!
65: Tofilau was over, but the pass was ruled forward.
66: If Ipswich hold onto win this game, put it down to the last 5 minutes of goal-line defence.
68: Tuimavave kicks down field.
69: Parcell kicks long, Tofilau makes a strong run but loses the ball.
69: Ipswich only 20 metres out from securing the match.
70: TRY IPSWICH JETS
Scored by Rod Griffin. Kick to come.
The Papua New Guinea international puts some nice footwork on to score for the Jets. 24-12 KTC.
71: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION IPSWICH JETS
Conversion attempt by Carlin Anderson successful.
5/5 for Anderson. That should seal the deal for the Jets.
71: The Knights try a short restart, but the Jets are onto the kick.
72: Chris Walker on for his first action of the game.
72: Sironen makes a strong charge for the Knights.
73: Tuha loses the ball trying to score for the Knights.
74: Kerrod Holland is trapped in-goal. If Ipswich didn't have the game wrapped up before, they surely do now.
75: Jets skipper Keiron Lander is down with injury.
75: Parcell picks up a short re-start from the Knights.
76: Fitzgibbon dives on a grubber from the Jets.
76: Newcastle come up with an error.
78: It's just not the Knights day. Holland chips for Tuha, but the ball goes into touch.
79: Just one minute left, the Knights will have final say.
79: Clint Newton makes a mistake.
80: Ipswich have claimed the State Championship defeating Newcastle 26-12.