The Illawarra Cutters defeated the Newtown Jets 24-14 at WIN Stadium, Wollongong on Saturday.
The Cutters secured the annual Tom Kirk Cup contest with a comfortable ten-point cushion in overcast conditions.
Cutters second-rower Will Matthews was the first to score in the 20th minute after managing to breach a strong Jets defence which had withstood several earlier tests.
Halfback Michael Witt made the conversion to make it 6-0.
The Jets however hit back on the halfhour mark after Ryhse Martin dove on a grubber in the in-goal to level.
Chris Taripo converted to make it 6-all.
The Cutters were able to wrestle the lead back before half time with a short range try under the goal posts through Craig Garvey in the 36th minute.
Witt converted again to make it 12-6.
The Cutters continued their momentum in the second half with centre Nathan Green taking a spectacular catch to score in the 45th minute.
Witt converted to make it 18-6.
However, Newtown would not let the Cutters pull away scoring off another grubber kick, this time through Jack Siejka, in the 52 minute.
The quick run of tries dried up for both clubs with each again battling for the upper hand.
The deadlock was broken nine minutes from time after prop Josh Aliaomai got on the scoresheet.
Witt converted again to make it 24-10.
Shannan Gallant scored a late consolation try for the Jets on fulltime but it was not enough for the two-points.
Illawarra Cutters 24 defeated the Newtown Jets 14
Illawarra Cutters 24. Tries: Matthews, Garvey, Green, Aliaomai. Goals: Witt (4/4).
Newtown Jets 14. Tries: Martin, Seijka, Gallant. Goals: Taripo (1/3).
