EAGLES CRUSH WARRIORS…LIONS MUST WIN…

Albion Park Captain/Coach Shane Sainsbury looks to break free of the Nowra Warriors defence on the weekend. Sainsbury also celebrated his 200th first grade game with the Eagles in the memorable win.

WET weather has again proved a major problem for the South Coast Group 7 competition, with two first grade and several lower grade games washed out.

The rain failed to dampen Albion Park-Oak Flats Eagles charge towards the minor premiership, after tallying up a cricket score against second placed Nowra Warriors, at Centenary Field.

The 74-10 win gives the Eagles an 11 point lead at the top of the competition table.

The Warriors were first on the board when winger Tom Hewson made the most of an Eagles mistake to score, but from that point onwards they were totally outclassed as the Eagles raced in six classy first half tries to run to a 36-4 lead at halftime.

A try to hooker Cole Skelly straight after the break made it 42-4 and from that point onwards it was a procession to the line as the Eagles finished with a remarkable 13 tries, with Skelly finishing with 26 points from a try and 11 goals to snatch the lead in the individual try scoring list.

Among many good players Skelly, Steve Butfield, Wade Walsh and Sean Jenkins were the Eagles best, while Geoff Johnson and Bill Brown never stopped trying for Warriors.

Meanwhile Batemans Bay Tigers kept their semi-final hopes alive when they outstayed Gerringong Lions in a top game at McKay Park, running out 30-20 winners.

The Kiama v Milton and Shellharbour v Warilla games will be played next weekend.