It may have been the first round of the season but the Narromine Jets and Macquarie Raiders played what will undoubtedly be one of the best games of 2019 on Sunday.
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A try to Narromine lock Ryan Richardson with 40 seconds to go and successful conversion from Janus Walford on the full-time siren saw the enthralling Group 11 contest finish at 34-all.
The match garnered plenty of interest after the off-season coach swap between Wes Middleton and Dylan Hill and the latter was delighted to be the one receiving the huge amount of home support after joining the Jets.
Cale Oval was pumping throughout the game, one in which the lead changed five times.
When Macquarie's Aaron Daniel barged his way over after sustained pressure with five minutes to go it seemed the Raiders were going to escape with the victory.
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However, Narromine found the sideline from the restart and Richardson's try ensured the sides shared the points.
"There was die-hard mentality," Jets captain-coach Hill said.
"Everyone was really digging deep for each other and for Ryan Richardson, who had a blinder today, to score in the final minute next to the post just shows the determination and the will and fight in these boys this year.
"There's a lot to work on but it was pleasing to come away with a point."
Middleton, who was in the thick of everything for the full 80 minutes, couldn't hide his disappointment after the game.
The captain-coach was a standout at hooker, scoring twice and creating numerous other chances, but poor discipline resulted in him spending time in the bin in the second half.
That was much to the delight of the Jets faithful, who took great joy in seeing their former captain-coach given his marching orders.
"Full credit to Narromine, they came hungry and wanted to prove a point but it didn't go either way," Middleton said after full-time.
"But fans were on their feet today and that's good for Group 11. We would have liked to get the two points but we only got one and we'll go away and regroup for Forbes."
The Raiders started the better and two tries either side of a Narromine four-pointer in the first 15 minutes saw them lead 12-4.
But a Jets try and Tony Clevin penalty saw the hosts take the lead, only for Raiders' Sam Thorpe to blitz his way to the line and set up a 16-14 half-time advantage.
The sides traded tries early again in the second half but when Middleton burrowed over for his second the Raiders led by 10.
But things changed when the former First Nations Goannas skipper was sin-binned.
The game swung and Richardson immediately grabbed his first before Clevin produced a moment of magic.
The five-eighth chipped brilliantly for himself on halfway, regathered, and evaded the defence before flying to score out wide.
Janus Walford nailed the conversion to lock it up at 28-all and then the two late tries ensured it finished all square.
"It just shows, if we can be competitive this year then we can continue to build and everyone is buying in to what we're all about. We're here to compete," Hill said, before praising the Jets fans.
"The crowd was very vocal and it made it so much easier. They're a great community and that's what I'm loving about it.
"It's a one-town team when it comes to rugby league and it's great to be on the end of the cheering from the crowd this year."
The Raiders had a number of tries disallowed during the game, two for forward passes in the first half, and Middleton said focusing on executing in attack will be big for his side before next weekend's clash with defending premiers Forbes.
- NARROMINE JETS 34 (Ryan Richardson 2, Jarryd Usher, Ratu Roko, Janus Walford, Tony Clevin tries; Clevin 3 goals, Walford 2) drew with MACQUARIE RAIDERS 34 (Wes Middleton 2, Eroni Turaga 2, Sam Thorpe, Aaron Daniel tries; Beau Satrick 5 goals)