Jets continue their run against wounded Lions

The Shoalhaven Jets continued their undefeated start to the season with a 32-18 victory over Gerringong at Michael Cronin Oval on Saturday.

The Jets staged a stunning three-try blitz in the final seven minutes to register their fourth win of the season and add another scalp to their debut year.

The Jets drew first blood in the 13th minute when halfback Michael Salafia threw a neat inside ball to Layne Green, who stormed through a huge gap to score near the posts for 6-nil.

The home side hit back ten minutes later when Daniel Quinn scored to reduce the deficit to two points.

Errors, missed opportunities and desperate defence form both teams meant the score remained 6-4 at the break.

Upon resumption the game opened up considerably: a few minutes in the Lions took the lead for the first time when Pat Cronin put replacement player Andrew Poppett over for 10-6.

Their joy was short lived though, as a few minutes later Shoalhaven’s Cole Green gathered a loose kick to level the scores.

The sides then traded tries; Green crossed for his second in the 52nd minute and Michael Brown scored to level the scores at 16-all. The Lions got their noses in front through a penalty goal but Jets hooker Nathan Deaves streaked away with seven minutes remaining to score for 22-18.

Ben Wellington and Lee Ardler also scored in the dying minutes to seal the win.

Lions coach Alan Miller praised his side’s effort in the face of adversity.

“In my 30 years at the club, this is probably the most injury ravaged I’ve ever seen us; it was a great performance.”

Geoff Johnson, Cole Green and Andrew Preston were the Jets best, while Michael Brown, Pat Cronin and Peter Quine were the standouts for the Lions.

In other games, Albion Park defeated Berry 36-26 and Warilla beat Batemans Bay 32-14.