The 2015 VB NSW Cup season has entered full swing – and Mounties, feeder club for the Canberra Raiders, stand on top of the mountain as the only remaining unbeaten team after four rounds.
In a battle between the last two undefeated teams this season, Mounties defeated the Wests Tigers 26-22 at Leichhardt Oval.
Although Mounties raced out to a 26-10 lead with 20 minutes remaining, they clung on for a thrilling finish as the Wests Tigers came surging back, eventually falling by four points.
Mounties now look to keep their perfect record intact when they face the Manly Sea Eagles at Central Coast next Sunday.
It was the Grand Final rematch the Newcastle Knights had long been awaiting as they extracted revenge for last year's VB NSW Cup decider against the Penrith Panthers.
The reigning premiers rallied from a 16-0 scoreline to even the scores with just minutes remaining.
In a dramatic finish, the Knights were able to clinch an 18-16 victory thanks to a fortuitous penalty in the final minute.
The Newtown Jets' VB NSW Cup campaign is taking off after backing up their first win of the season with a hard-fought victory against the Manly Sea Eagles.
The Jets snapped the Panthers' 10-game win streak and were determined to make it back-to-back wins.
They trailed 26-16 in the second half but stormed back to score 16 unanswered points and prevail 32-26 at Leichhardt Oval. Regular first-grader Mitch Brown provided the heroics in bagging a two-try effort in the comeback victory.
The North Sydney Bears fell narrowly short of the upset of the round as they lost 18-16 against the New Zealand Warriors in Auckland. The Bears were desperate for victory after last week's 50-12 flogging at the hands of the Illawarra Cutters.
The Warriors continue their impressive start to the VB NSW Cup with the courageous two-point win despite missing two of their most dangerous attacking weapons – fullback Viliami Kaveinga and in-form winger Jarrod Tua – through injury.
At Ringrose Park, the Wentworthville Magpies held on for their first victory of the season with a frantic 18-16 triumph against the Illawarra Cutters.
The visitors had a chance to tie the score with three minutes remaining but Peter Mata'utia missed the penalty from almost 40 metres out.
It was Luke Kelly who starred for the Magpies, leading his side to their opening win of the VB NSW Cup.
The Bulldogs also returned to the winners' column with a hard-earned 34-24 victory over the Wyong Roos at home.
It was their second win of the season thanks in large part to second-rower, Adam Elliot, who was enormous in attack and defence.
