The Jets had beaten the Young Guns in all five meetings during the season, but the underdogs came to play – applying the early pressure against the favourites.

However, they paid the price for being unable to score in the first five minutes, as the Jets’ Sophie Crouch opened the scoring out wide, on the back of their first stint of sustained pressure. 

Young Guns levelled but Crouch’s second, on the end of lightning hands, gave them a 2-1 half-time lead. 

But a massive upset threatened when the youngsters scored twice in two minutes early in the second half, the second when Hayley Wade exploited off-side defence for a 3-2 lead. 

Some amazing defence from both sides prevented scoring for nine minutes, before Bella McDermott opened up the Young Guns with a runaway try.

As extra-time loomed Rhiannon Podmore scooted into space and found Sarah Crakanthorp who touched down with the winner.

“That’s amazing, that was our goal to have a three-peat,” Jets captain – and best-on-ground – Vienna Randal said. “There was a lot of pressure, I was so stressed. As stressed as I could be…”

Coach Kevin Salmon praised his players, particularly Randal and Podmore.

“That was really tough, the other guys (Young Guns) played really well,” Salmon said. “I think the comp is much stronger this year so I’m really proud.

“The other team played really well and put us under pressure but when the chips were down our leaders stood up and I think that made the difference.”