The Bears first grade team will contest the Northern NSW Football National Premier League (NPL) decider at Jack McLaughlin Oval on September 14 after coming from behind to defeat Newcastle Jets Youth 3-2 at home in Sunday’s major semi-final.

This followed the Bears under-15 squad taking out the NPL youth major premiership in that age group with a 1-0 victory against minor premiers Edgeworth at Darling Street Oval on Saturday.

It was the first time the Bears had beaten the Eagles this season with a 4-0 loss followed by a 0-all draw in the second round and it was substitute Reegan Payne who scored the winner.

Payne, a member of the under 14s squad, was called into the grand final team after Bears regular striker Brayden Mortimer was handed an automatic suspension for being sent off the week before.

Payne came off the bench and slotted home a half-volley from a cross early in the second half and it proved to be the difference between the two sides.

“He [Payne] is a goal scorer and he did exactly what I wanted him to do,” Bears coach Gary Wand said.

Wand said there were no stand outs for the Bears on grand final day and the squad performed well after the initial nerves settled.

“No one performed badly,’ Wand said.

“We didn’t start overly well and we weren’t able to hold the ball but once we settled into the game we went alright.”

In the other NPL youth age groups Emerging Jets under 12s claimed twin titles in the under 13s, Charlestown won the under 14s and Hamilton the under 16s.