A late try to hooker Nafe Seluini has clinched a thrilling 22-18 victory for Newtown over Balmain in the NSW Cup.
Two of rugby league’s foundation clubs served up a superb curtain raiser which Balmain led 18-16 until Seluini dived over from dummy-half about eight minutes from fulltime.
Newtown captain Daniel Mortimer, who played for Parramatta in their 2009 first grade grand final loss to Melbourne, was thrilled with the win on Sunday.
“It’s great for this club. You hear all the stories about how they didn’t have a team for seven years but the board kept showing up to meetings … all the Newtown fans have stuck in there too, so it’s great for them too,” Mortimer said.
“To find ourselves here lifting the trophy is amazing and something I never thought would happen.
“It’s a very proud moment. NRL is where I want to be but coming back to Newtown they make you feel like a star and I’m glad I could lift the trophy.”
Newtown made a brilliant start to lead 12-0 before Balmain hit back late in the half with a couple of tries to go into the break 12-10 down.
Balmain hit the lead for the first time early in the second half through Dane Chisholm who scored out wide before Newtown hit back soon after with centre Francis Vaiotu who crashed over on the left edge.
Newtown’s 16-14 lead was short lived with Tigers centre Josh Davis finishing a neat attacking raid on the left edge to make it 18-16 inside the final 15 minutes.
It is Newtown’s fourth premiership win and first since 1943. The club was dropped from rugby league’s top flight competition after the 1983 season following financial problems.
Newtown Jets 22 (D Tupou, J Bosden, F Vaiotu, N Seluini tries; D Mortimer 3 goals) bt Balmain Ryde-Eastwood Tigers 18 (A Seumanufagai, S Meaney, D Chisholm, J Davis tries; S Meaney goal).