Both the Jets and Pride were looking to keep their momentum going from wins last week with Ipswich still holding hope of making the finals.
The Pride were also looking to apply a season-ending blow to the Jets and had an ideal start to the game when they shifted right and Marcus Jensen was able to score in the corner.
However, it didn’t take the Jets long to strike back with Richard Pandia scoring after his side went to the right of the posts after a great run and quick play-the-ball from Nat Neale.
With the Luke Capewell conversion, the Jets and Pride were locked up at 6-6 after 16 minutes.
Jets fullback Jayden Connors scored on debut soon after Nemani Valekapa made a great run down the left hand side to help set up the scoring play. Two tackles later, Connors was able to sneak over from dummy half and three minutes later, they were in again thanks to Michael Purcell.
The speedster scored inside the left hand post to give the Jets a great lead of 16-6 after 25 minutes.
Connors scored the Jets’ fourth try of the game, planting the ball under the posts after a great run by Capewell. His celebration of a back flip was just as impressive and the Jets led 22-6 after 30 minutes of play.
At halftime, Jets co-coaches Ben and Shane Walker called for more of the same and Purcell was able to deliver two minutes into the second half when he crossed for his second; with his centre Nemani Valekapa instrumental in the set up.
The Pride however clawed their way back into the game when Javid Bowen took the opportunity to get back some points for his side. Bowen scooped up a loose pass and ran the 90m to score.
Next up, his cousin Shawn Bowen capitalised on some crisp Pride ball movement and the Pride were back in the game 26-16.
Another loose ball that was pounced on by a desperate Pride again resulted in points when Bradley Stephen ran away to score to give the Pride a chance at 26-22 with 10 minutes to play.
However, Valekapa was able to keep his side in the hunt for the finals when he scored to seal the win for the Jets with a 32-22 final scoreline.
Next weekend, the Jets will travel to PNG to take on the Hunters, while the Pride will be at home to the Magpies.
See the full scoring details and final team line-ups for this game via QRL Live
IPSWICH JETS 32 (Jayden Connors 2, Michael Purcell 2, Richard Pandia, Nemani Valekapa tries; Luke Capewell 3, Jayden Connors goals) def NORTHERN PRIDE 22 (Marcus Jensen, Javid Bowen, Shawn Bowen, Bradley Stephen tries; Jordan Biondi-Odo 3 goals) at North Ipswich Reserve.
