GERRINGONG have had an ideal warm-up for this weekend's clash with fellow unbeaten VB South Coast Rugby League competition leaders Shellharbour City after a strong 28-10 local derby win over Kiama Knights at Kiama Showground on Saturday.
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While the Lions were without front-rower Tim Moore due to suspension, the Gerringong side was bolstered by the inclusions of Southern Division representatives Nathan Ford and Joel Roberts, who had boarded a charter flight from Taree after their loss to the Central Coast earlier in the day.
Down 10-0 after the first 20 minutes, the Lions rallied and scored 28 unanswered points, 22 of which came in a dominant second half performance.
Knights fullback Matt Emerson opened the scoring after 15 minutes when he showed too much speed from a scrum win, skirting around defenders to score out wide for a 4-0 lead.
Five minutes later, Kiama were on the attack again, forcing a repeat set after Gerringong allowed a bomb to bounce around in their own in-goal.
Second-rower Vaughn Thistlethwaite capitalised on field position, running a strong line to score the Knights' second then he converted his try to extend the lead to 10.
The next 10 minutes saw the Lions wrestle back control; they were rewarded when Ford raced 20 metres from dummy half on the last tackle to score under the posts. Roberts added the extras to take the half-time score to 10-6.
After the break Gerringong picked up where they left off and had their second try when Roberts proved too fast and too strong from 20 metres out. The fullback converted his try to take a 12-10 lead.
The following set of six saw the Lions attack again as Michael Brown found space and raced down field. Knights winger Jay Delaney chased the second-rower down but was sin-binned for what the referee deemed a professional foul.
Gerringong capitalised, and Roberts had his second after he had combined with Pat Cronin on a set play.
Roberts' conversion of the try pushed the lead to 16-10 after 60 minutes.
Five minutes later it was Cronin's turn as he strolled through a gap in the Kiama defence from 20 metres out to score the Lions' fourth try. Roberts converted for a 22-10 lead.
Rixon Russell capped off the scoring in the 69th minute when he dummied and went past tired defenders close to the line.
Roberts again added the extras to take the full-time score to 28-10.
Lions Kal Collins, Brad Davidson and Roberts stood out while Kieran Poole, Luke Sutton and Cam Whittaker never stopped trying for the Knights.
At Jamberoo, the home side moved into a share of third spot with Kiama and Albion Park-Oak Flats with an 58-12 demolition of Port Kembla; wingers Ben Barnard (three) and Trent Bourke scored five tries between them.
The Superoos led 42-6 at half-time.
In other games, Albion Park-Oak Flats edged out Milton-Ulladulla 22-20, Berry finally opened their account with a 32-24 win over Warilla and the Sharks scored a 46-12 win over premiers Nowra-Bomaderry at Shellharbour.
