NSW CUP GRAND FINAL: Jets 22, Tigers 18

Former Vodafone Junior Warrior Nafe Seluini scored the match-winning try in his second grand final win at ANZ Stadium in three years as the Newtown Jets beat Balmain Ryde Eastwood 22-18 to win the New South Wales Cup premiership today.

And with him were two other players with Vodafone Warriors links, 2008-2009 Vodafone Junior Warrior Kurt Kara and big forward Saulala Houma, who was in the Vodafone Warriors’ NRL squad last year.

Seluini was in the NYC premiership-winning Vodafone Junior Warriors side in 2010 before he linked up with Penrith for the 2011 season. After 17 NRL appearances for the Panthers last year he had only two this year before moving to the Sydney Roosters midway through the season. He played seven times for the Roosters’ NRL side but mixed his appearances with the Jets, the Roosters’ feeder club.

The Jets were dominant early in today’s grand final, running out to a 12-0 lead before the Tigers rolled into gear by scoring three unanswered tries to lead 14-12 early in the second spell.

Newtown briefly regained the lead 16-14 only for the Tigers to go ahead 18-16 with another unconverted try.

But it was Seluini who provided the critical play, exposing some poor marker defence to put the Jets back in front. Daniel Mortimer converted and one of Sydney's most famous clubs was able to celebrate premiership success again at last.

The Jets came from seventh in the regular season to win. A critical factor for them today was Mortimer’s superior goal kicking with both teams scoring four tries each.

Match details:

At ANZ Stadium, Homebush
Newtown Jets 22 (Taniela Tupou, Jack Bosden, Francis Vaiotu, Nafe Seluini tries; Daniel Mortimer 3 conversions).
Balmain Ryde Eastwood Tigers 18 (Ava Seumanufagai, Sean Meaney, Dane Chisholm, Josh Davis tries; Seam Meaney conversion).
Referee: Matt Noyen.

NEWTOWN
1 Alofa Alofa
2 Daniel Tupou
3 Peni Tagive
4 Francis Vaiotu
5 Justin Carney
6 Kurt Kara
7 Daniel Mortimer
8 Mose Masoe
9 Isaac Liu
10 Josh Ailaomai
11 Jack Bosden
12 Brad Barrett
13 Ahmad Ellaz
Interchange:
9 Nafe Seluini
14 Andrew Pearn
16 Anthony Cherrington
17 Saulala Houma
COACH: Greg Matterson

BALMAIN RYDE EASTWOOD
1 Sean Meaney
2 Jake Clarke
3 Josh Davis
4 Tim Simona
5 Gus Agia
6 Tom Humble
7 Nathan Waters
8 Junior Moors
9 Masada Iosefa
10 Ray Cashmere
11 Jarrod Farlow
12 David Harris
13 Rhys Curren
Interchange:
14 Ava Seumanufagai
15 Taqele Naiyaravaro
18 Pat Politoni
20 Dane Chisholm
COACH: Paul Fletcher