Hawkesbury Jets Australian Rules team move into top four after single point victory over Sydney Uni

Report by Peter Kyle

Picture – John Tibben

The Hawkesbury Jets Australian Rules team moved into the top four with a thrilling and very close one point win over Sydney University at Bensons Lane on Saturday.

The Jets were dealt a heavy loss last time these two teams met in May, and were keen to pay the Students back, and thanks to a gritty away win over fifth placed North Shore the week before, the local team’s confidence was high.

Jets’ Aaron Bayne grabs the ball during a “stellar best on-ground display”

The game was played at a fast and lively pace in front of a good home crowd, and the Students kicked a late goal despite some solid defensive efforts to take a six-point lead to the first break. Young gun Harrison Long was dynamic on his wing, showing a clean pair of heels to his more experienced opponents.

The second quarter saw the intensity lift, as Hawkesbury applied pressure in the midfield, with Paul Downs and Patrick Brennan featuring heavily in the contest while veteran Aaron Bayne kept his dangerous forward opponent quiet in a stellar best on-ground display.

The Jets held their breath as Sebastian Goldrick landed heavily and rolled his ankle just before halftime, but the home team kept their composure and were increasingly confident of toppling their more fancied opposition.

The premiership quarter was one for the ages, with big tackling and clever ball use a highlight, but neither team could break through for a goal, thanks to the tireless work of the back six, with Bayne, Harry Stever and Kurt Miller stretching into some awkward positions to thwart the Students.

Six points was the difference going into the final quarter.

Kicking with the wind in the last, the Jets found a way to crack the Students’ resolve and added three goals to two.

With Sydney Uni threatening to steal the win late in the game, some desperate efforts kept the points at Bensons Lane, and the Jets leapfrogged the Students into fourth place.

This coming week provides another test, as the Jets face second placed St George Dragons at Olds Park, Mortdale from 9am, followed by a local derby on July 9 against East Coast Eagles at Rouse Hill.

We’re looking for regular match reports and stories on sporting events from Hawkesbury teams and individuals so if you have someone who can provide a short match report – similar to this one – and a couple of pictures, get in touch at info@hawkesburypost.com.au And don’t worry if you’re not a writer, we can help there, just bring your passion for the sport and we’ll help do the rest.

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