Newtown claim 2012 NSW Cup Premiership

The Newtown Jets have battled out a tough 22-18 victory over the Balmain-Ryde Eastwood Tigers at ANZ Stadium to claim the 2012 NSW Cup Premiership.

This was an unexpected grand final with the sides finishing 7th (Jets) and 8th (Balmain) on the ladder.

The Newtown Jets started strongly with two tries inside the first 20 minutes. The first of the four-pointers was claimed by Daniel Tupou who managed to break through the goal line off a beautiful kick from Daniel Mortimer.

The second try was posted by Jack Bosden, would would later leave the field with a possible broken arm. The try, a simple as Bosden slipped out a would-be tackle as he crashed down through the defence. After 20 minutes the Jets ahead, 12-0.

A swing in possession saw the Tigers fight back to close the gap to two points heading into half time.

Ava Seumanufagai has been strong all year for the Tigers off the bench and today proved his value. The big unit powered through the tackle at the goal line to crash over for the Tigers first points. The play started with a great combo from Junior Moors and Masada Iosefa. Sean Meaney's conversion attempts proved the different at the end of the day.

The Tigers confident grew as they fought through the Jets line to post a try in the final moments of the first half. Captain Sean Meaney busted the line to clean up a short grubber kick from Nathan Waters. So, at the break, the Jets held a small two point lead, 12-10.

The confidence from the back end of the first half continued with the Tigers as they fired quickly in the second to post early points. 
 
Dane Chisholm has stepped up to the plate in place of Tom Humble who left the field with an ankle injury. He showed up the defence with a beautiful dummy run to dart over the whitewash. The Tigers took the lead for the first time in the game, 16-14. 
 
The tide turned quickly in favour of the Jets as Francis Vaiotu out spirited Tim Simona down the far touchline to dive in the corner for the Jets third four-pointer of the afternoon. Daniel Mortimer from the touchline unable to add the extras, 
Newtown Jets 16-14 
 
The lead change once again mid-way through the second half as the Tigers linked together through Nathan Waters and Sean Meaney to put Josh Davis cross the whitewash. A great piece of play saw the Tigers hit the 18-16 lead. 
 
A key player for the Newtown side this afternoon was Nafe Seluini. He managed to clean up the poor play of the ball from Mortimer and darted out to burrow his way under the Balmain defence to take the lead. Daniel Mortimer with the conversion adds the extras. 
 
The Balmain side attempted to put a play together in the final moments, but the Jets performance was too much in the end. The Newtown Jets closed out victors 22-18 and claimed the 2012 NSW Cup Premiership after finishing 7th on the ladder.

Photo Credit: Chris (@Vossy7)

Match Details
Newtown Jets 22 defeated Balmain - Ryde Eastwood Tigers 18
National Rugby League - 2012 VB NSW Cup Grand Final - Sunday September 30, 2012 12:00pm
Venue: ANZ Stadium
Referee: Matt Noyen
Video Referee: Phil Cooley and Steve Clark
Touch Judges: Nathan Smith and Jay Farlow
Crowd: 0
Halftime: Newtown Jets 12 Balmain - Ryde Eastwood Tigers 10

Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 Points - Nafe Seluini (1 Try)
2 Points - Daniel Mortimer (3 Conversions)
1 Point - Dane Chisholm (1 Try)

NEWTOWN JETS (22)
Tries: Daniel Tupou, Francis Vaiotu, Nafe Seluini, Jack Bosden
Conversions: Daniel Mortimer (3/4)

BALMAIN - RYDE EASTWOOD TIGERS (18)
Tries: Sean Meaney, Josh Davis, Ava Seumanufagai, Dane Chisholm
Conversions: Sean Meaney (1/4)

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary Welcome to League Unlimited's coverage of this massive GRAND FINAL day. Kicking off this third-header LIVE from ANZ Stadium it's the VB NSW Cup Grand Final between the 7th and 8th placed team in the Newtown Jets and the Balmain Ryde-Eastwood Tigers.

We are about 30 minutes from kick off which is set for 12:05pm.

TEAM NEWS:
The Tigers will be as per program. While the Jets have one change with Kurt Kara starting at hooker with Nafe Seluini starting off the bench
We are UNDERWAY here at ANZ Stadium for this VB NSW Cup Grand Final with the Newtown Jets kicking off.
2 min: Nathan Waters with a good kick on the end of the set Alofa Alofa is trapped shy of the goal line to start their set.
5 min: 40/20 Newtown Jets
Daniel Mortimer kicks a 40/20 with a mile of time to get it off the boot. Chance for them through a scrum feed
8 min: TRY
TRY Newtown Jets
Scored by Daniel Tupou. Conversion attempt by Daniel Mortimer successful.

Daniel Mortimer with a beautiful kick to the corner has found the waiting arms of Daniel Tupou who flew through the line to beat Craig Agia. A great set following the 40/20 kick from Mortimer. Mortimer from the touchline splits the uprights with the kick.
Newtown Jets 6-0
9 min: Penalty against Masada Iosefa for being ruled offside. Newtown helped up field as they start their set over halfway.
11 min: VIDEO REFEREE for the Jets, Peni Tagive is claiming a try as he burrow under the defence.
11 min: NO TRY! Peni Tagive is get the RED LIGHTS as was ruled short of the line.
11 min: On the next play the Jets kick across to the near corner but this time it's knocked on by Justin Carney. So, the Tigers work it from their 20 metre line.
13 min: UNFORCED ERROR Balmain - Ryde Eastwood Tigers
Masada Iosefa makes an unforced error out of acting half. It's all the Newtown Jets at the moment as they have a scrum feed on their 40 metre line.
15 min: Nathan Waters is trapped in goal off a Mortimer kick. Balmain's defence holding for now. Line drop out for the Jets.
16 min: PENALTY Newtown! Mose gets the penalty for a strip. Chance for Jets again 10 metres out.
18 min: TRY
TRY Newtown Jets
Scored by Jack Bosden. Conversion attempt by Daniel Mortimer successful.

Jack Bosden slipped out of a would-be tackle as he was copped a bit high. However, he dived down between the defence to crashed through to score. Daniel Mortimer with the conversion attempt from next to the posts.
Newtown Jets 12-0
20 min: A kick through the line from Jay Farlow not the best as the Jets cover it up. They attack out of their 10m
21 min: KNOCK ON! Jack Bosden as dropped it in the tackle. Chance for Tigers once again with a scrum 20 metres out.
22 min: Nathan Waters with a big kick across the field is taken in goal by Justin Carney. Jets 20 metre tap
23 min: UNFORCED ERROR Balmain - Ryde Eastwood Tigers
Gus Agia makes an unforced error as he attempted a one on one strip. Jets with a scrum feed on their 30 metre line.
28 min: Tom Humble has come off the field now for the Tigers with Dane Chisholm replacing him in the 5/8th role.
29 min: PENALTY OBSTRUCTION! Alofa Alofa ran behind his player. It was a try for money, but denied.
30 min: TRY
TRY Balmain - Ryde Eastwood Tigers
Scored by Ava Seumanufagai. Conversion attempt by Sean Meaney unsuccessful.

Ava Seumanufagai spins out of the would-be tackle as he backed up the massive line break from Masada Iosefa. Junior Moors laid the platform with the offload from Iosefa. The kick from Sean Meaney is pushed to the line left of the posts.
Newtown Jets 12-4
35 min: Dane Chisholm with a floating ball to his winger in Jake Clarke, but it was defused and the Jets start their set off their goal line.
37 min: VIDEO REFEREE for the Balmain Tigers, looking at this off a Waters kick.
39 min: TRY
TRY Balmain - Ryde Eastwood Tigers
Scored by Sean Meaney. Conversion attempt by Sean Meaney successful.

Sean Meaney is awarded the four-pointer as Nathan Waters put the grubber kick through the line and Meaney busted the line and dived in to plant it down one-handed. Sean Meaney with the conversion attempt this time is successful.
Newtown Jets 12-10
40 min: HALF TIME at ANZ Stadium and despite a late play from the Tigers, the score remains the Jets leaders 12-10 over the Balmain Tigers. It's been an exciting yet grinding game of footy and the second half promises to be a cracker
41 min: The second half is UNDERWAY with only a two point game in play between these two sides. It's going to be a massive half of footy as the Balmain Tigers kick us off.
42 min: Good kick from Dane Chisholm as the Jets catch it a metre from the goal line. Balmain need to step up their defence to fight back here.
43 min: UNFORCED ERROR Newtown Jets
Daniel Tupou makes an unforced error off the kick from Sean Meaney, but Harrison also with the mistake. So the Tigers with a scrum feed 10 metres from the Jets line.
45 min: TRY
TRY Balmain - Ryde Eastwood Tigers
Scored by Dane Chisholm. Conversion attempt by Sean Meaney unsuccessful.

Dane Chisholm has stepped up to the plate in place of Tom Humble. He showed up the defence with a beautiful dummy run to dart over the whitewash. The Jets unable to stop the attack as the Tigers hit the lead. Sean Meaney however with the kick again pushes it to the left from the touchline.
Balmain - Ryde Eastwood Tigers 14-12
47 min: Great kick chase from the Tigers as seen Tupou unable to escape the in goal. Line drop out for the Balmain boys
48 min: The Jets survive the raid as Moors drops the ball as he attempted to offload the ball and the Jets dived on the ball for possession 10 metres out.
50 min: Sean Meaney looking for a runner through the line with the kick but it was too big as it bounced over the dead ball line. Jets with the 20 metre tap.
52 min: TRY
TRY Newtown Jets
Scored by Francis Vaiotu. Conversion attempt by Daniel Mortimer unsuccessful.

Francis Vaiotu out spiriting Tim Simona down the far touchline to dive in the former for the Jets third four-pointer of the afternoon. Daniel Mortimer from the touchline unable to add the extras
Newtown Jets 16-14
53 min: UNFORCED ERROR Newtown Jets
Mose Masoe makes an unforced error attempting to get a quick play of the ball. Tigers with possession through a scrum feed 20 metres from the Jets line.
54 min: Tim Simona is denied his try as the referee pings Jay Farlow for the forward pass out of acting half. Jets with a scrum feed on their 10 metre line.
56 min: Newtown unable to defend the Nathan Waters kick, Tigers with a scrum feed 10 metres out.
58 min: UNFORCED ERROR Balmain - Ryde Eastwood Tigers
Taqele Naiyaravaro makes an unforced error as he ran onto a pass short the line. Jets escape without conceding points with a scrum feed on their 10 metre line.
60 min: VIDEO REFEREE for the Tigers, Taqele Naiyaravaro as dived in and cleaned up
61 min: Taqele Naiyaravaro gets the RED LIGHTS he dived in and knocked it on shy of the goal line. Jets lucky there not to concede points as they have possession through the change over.
64 min: Dane Chisholm with the kick into the in goal area sees Justin Carney forced dead. Balmain with a line drop out and a chance for points.
65 min: VIDEO REFEREE for the Tigers, Josh Davis off a beautiful movement from Meaney
66 min: TRY
TRY Balmain - Ryde Eastwood Tigers
Scored by Josh Davis. Conversion attempt by Sean Meaney unsuccessful.

Josh Davis has been awarded the try after Nathan Waters and Sean Meaney linked together to put some beautiful passes together. Sean Meaney with the conversion from the touchline unable to convert.
Balmain - Ryde Eastwood Tigers 18-16
67 min: UNFORCED ERROR Balmain - Ryde Eastwood Tigers
Jarrod Farlow makes an unforced error as the pass from Sean Meaney wasn't the best. Scrum feed from the halfway line for the Jets.
69 min: FORWARD PASS! Newtown spreading the ball but Matt Noylen sees it and calls it. Tigers scrum
69 min: KNOCK ON! Jarrod Farlow in the massive tackle drops it and Jets with a massive shot to take the lead
72 min: TRY
TRY Newtown Jets
Scored by Nafe Seluini. Conversion attempt by Daniel Mortimer successful.

Nafe Seluini cleans up the poor play of the ball and darted out of acting half to burrow his way under the Balmain defence to take the lead for the Jets. Daniel Mortimer with the conversion adds the extras.
Newtown Jets 22-18
75 min: VIDEO REFEREE for the Balmain Tigers. Gus Agia with the try