A stirring second half comeback has given Wests Tigers Intrust Super Premiership side an 18-12 upset win over the Newtown Jets on Saturday afternoon at Henson Park.
Trailing 12-6 with less than 20 minutes remaining in the contest, tries to Jackson Williams and captain Nathan Milone ensured a thrilling six-point upset win for David Heath's side.
The defeat sees Newtown drop out of the top eight in the Intrust Super Premiership ladder, while Wests Tigers are incredibly just four points off the finals with their fifth victory.
Matthew Evans got the match off to the perfect start for the home side when he crossed after 11 minutes of play — converting his own try to give the Jets an early 6-0 advantage.
Fullback Watson Heleta hit back soon after for the visitors, however, with Veiru Mapesone converting the try to level the scores at 6-6 in the 25th minute.
Level at the half-time break, Newtown opened the second half the stronger of the two sides and soon restored their lead when Bessie Aufaga-Toomaga crashed over.
Evans was unable to convert the try, leaving Newtown with a 10-6 lead after 52 minutes, before a penalty goal soon after ensured the hosts' lead was back out to a converted try.
Staring down another defeat, Wests Tigers showed great resilience as they worked the ball down field and quickly leveled the match once more as Williams crossed the line.
Mapesone converted to level the scores at 12-12 with 18 minutes remaining, before Milone grabbed his ninth try of the season 10 minutes from the break to put the visitors in front.
Making it three from three with the boot, Mapesone converted to give Wests Tigers a surprising 18-12 lead, which they would hold on to in the dying moments to emerge victorious.
Wests Tigers will look to record back-to-back wins in the Intrust Super Premiership competition when they take on the 10th placed Newcastle Knights next Saturday at Cessnock.
Wests Tigers 18 (Heleta, Williams, Milone tries; Mapesone 3/3 goals) def. Newtown Jets 12 (Evans, Aufaga-Tooamaga tries; Evans 2/3 goals) at Henson Park
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