KIAMA Knights have taken a massive step towards securing their second successive Group 7 Rugby League semi-final appearance after downing Batemans Bay Tigers in a tight encounter on Sunday.
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After leading 16-14 at half-time at Kiama Showground, the Knights won the clash between the fifth and sixth-placed sides 30-20, and have now moved three points ahead of the Tigers on the table with three regular season matches remaining.
Leading the way for the Knights were second-rower Cameron Whittaker and young centre James Gilmore, who both scored doubles.
Whittaker's second try late in the game gave the home side much-needed, 10-point breathing space.
The Lions are close to securing the minor premiership after a tough 32-22 victory against Jamberoo Superoos at Michael Cronin Oval on Saturday.
The Lions looked set to continue their high-scoring ways when they remarkably raced to a 10-0 lead within just the first four minutes of the contest, then went ahead 16-0 after 10 minutes.
However, from there the visitors were somehow able to climb their way back into the game. Down 22-0 shortly before half-time, Jamberoo hit back with three converted tries in the 10 minutes either side of the break. The Lions eventually regained control to score their 14th win from 15 rounds.
Nathan Ford, Pat Cronin and Brad Davidson had huge games for Gerringong, while Matt Coelho, Gavin Jarrett and James Asquith were the best for the Superoos.
Second-placed Milton-Ulladulla had a major scare at the hands of cellar-dwellers Port Kembla, but managed to break a three-game losing streak via a 42-28 win at Noel Mulligan Oval.
The Bulldogs, still below full-strength, looked to have the match in control when they led 24-12 at the break.
The Blacks came out firing after the break though and managed to level the scores at 24-all before the visitors got back in command.
Goal-kicking was a major stumbling block for the Blacks, scoring six tries but converting only two of them.
Conversely, Bulldogs five-eighth Luke Young not only crossed for two tries, but also landed seven goals.
In other games, Warilla-Lake South Gorillas struggled to get on top of Nowra-Bomaderry Jets, a late four-pointer to captain Aaron Henry getting his side home by 28-22. Meanwhile, Albion Park-Oak Flats went down 40-28 to Berry Magpies.
