It may only have been a win in round five of the regular season but it was clear to see how much the Narromine Jets' victory over the Nyngan Tigers was on Sunday.
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Jets captain-coach Dylan Hill admitted he was close to tears when the final whistle sounded and signalled Narromine's first win of the 2019 Group 11 season.
The Jets have been a vastly improved side this year but only had one draw and three hard-fought losses to show for their efforts after four rounds.
But it finally came together at Cale Oval on Sunday as a Janus Walford penalty in the dying stages of the game sealed a 24-22 win.
"I think a few were holding back tears, that shows how much it means," Hill said after the win.
"I know I was because we've worked so hard and had come up short.
"We've been frustrated because we know we're competitive and we've stuck it to some of the teams at the top so to get a win, it will be a real boost for the morale."
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Nyngan began the better and led 22-10 at one point only for the Jets, boosted by a number of penalties, to slowly but surely take control.
A try with six minutes to go led to things being all squared up and after a penalty was blown following a field goal attempt from Walford, the fullback made no mistake with the boot from right in front.
While it was Walford who decided the game, the performance of the Jets forward pack was again the key.
Hill highlighted his front-row partner Alex Sambrook as the standout player while lock Peter Wong also got through a huge amount of work.
"He (Sambrook) punched out 20-odd tackles and 30 hit-ups. He's known as a workhorse but he just continues to put his hand up."
In the weekend's other game, Westside slumped to a third consecutive loss by more than 100 points.
The Forbes Magpies dominated the game at No. 1 Oval and ran out 104-0 winners.
Despite the points flowing there, the clash at Cale Oval was the far more entertaining and Hill stated he's hopeful and it can kickstart his side's push for a top five spot.
"We want to move forward," he said.
"There's two more games in this first round and we want two more wins. That would put us in a good position."
The Jets will be a raging favourite to win next weekend against Westside, while a meeting with Wellington follows the June long weekend bye.
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Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
