WITH one round of the VB South Coast Group 7 Rugby League competition to go, six teams are still in the running for the five semi-final spots.
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Gerringong and Albion Park-Oak Flats have well and truly wrapped up first and second spot, but next weekend Kiama (20), Warilla-Lake South (18), Berry-Shoalhaven Heads (18) and Nowra-Bomaderry Jets (18) will sort out the final three spots, including the important double-chance third spot.
The Kiama Knights and the Jets will play at Nowra Showground on Saturday. The pressure will be on the Jets because, even if they win and Warilla win against the last-placed Milton-Ulladulla Bulldogs, they could still miss out on points differential since no play-offs will be played.
The Berry Magpies, with a good differential and the final- round bye, are assured of a semi-final spot. However it will take a massive upset for the Bulldogs to beat the Gorillas and cost them their chance to defend their 2012 premiership.
Two vital matches held crowds spellbound on Sunday.
The Kiama Knights went into Sunday's match against the red-hot Berry side without three vital forwards in props Jake McDonald and Chris Bowers and the inspirational Cameron Whittaker, but they still managed to push the Magpies all the way.
They led 12-8 with just minutes remaining before Aaron Pont's try and Josh Coulter's conversion clinched the game for the visitors.
In a solid team effort, Rhys Sharpe, Trent Burns, Joe Rogers and Sean Deaves were best for the Magpies, while Kieran Pool, Marc Laird, Simon Dean and Jade Lucas never stopped trying for the Knights.
Warilla-Lake South hosted the Nowra-Bomaderry Jets at Cec Glenholmes Oval and had to pull out all stops before achieving a 24-16 win.
The home side looked well in control at 16-0, but the Jets scored just before halftime to make it 16-6. The Jets came storming back to get within two points at 16-14, but were unable to bridge the gap as the Gorillas wrapped up a vital win, despite losing several key players with injuries in the closing stages.
Ryan Johnston, Luke Roberts, Andrew Diomei and Luke Watts were Warilla's standouts, while Ben Wellington, Sam Stewart, Geoff Johnson and Anthony Atkinson were the best for Nowra.
Batemans Bay Tigers scored their fifth win of the season with a convincing 33-18 win over Jamberoo Superoos at Mackay Park on Saturday evening.
The Tigers hit the front early, but Jamberoo stayed in touch at halftime to trail 12-6, but spurred on by a vocal home crowd the Tigers were too strong and finished with six tries to three.
Best for the Tigers were Jared Wood-Johnston, Gerard Dennis and Willie Newton, while for the Superoos Daniel Weight, Matt Coelho and Matt Schubert all impressed.
Gerringong Lions are just one victory away from completing the competition's preliminary rounds unbeaten after thumping Milton-Ulladulla Bulldogs 44-4 at Gerringong on Saturday.
The game was abandoned 15 minutes early due to a serious injury to Bulldog centre Travis Young.
But the Lions were impressive throughout and will tryto maintain their record next Saturday when they play the Jamberoo Superoos.