GERRINGONG Lions remain on track for a top two finish in this year's Group 7 competition after a 32-18 win over Albion Park-Oak Flats in their VB South Coast Rugby League clash at Centenary Oval on Sunday.
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Played in chilly, blustery conditions, it wasn't the most entertaining of games as the Lions did just enough to come away with the two points.
It was the hosts who opened the scoring as they capitalised on an early glut of possession for Sean Jenkins to pounce on a grubber in Gerringong's in-goal.
The Eagles' lead didn't last long however - Gerringong finally found their way into opposition territory and a shift of the ball to the right allowed Alec Brookes to dive over in the corner to level the scores at 4-4 after 12 minutes.
Just as it looked like the game would continue to go back and forth, both sides seemed to lose their way and the next 20 minutes saw little excitement.
With just over 10 minutes to go in the half the Lions finally clicked back into gear and a string of second phase play allowed Patrick Cronin to send Michael Brown over under the posts.
Joel Roberts converted for a 10-6 Gerringong lead.
The Lions extended their lead almost immediately when Peter Cronin proved too big to stop near the line the next time the Lions made their way up the field.
They made it three tries in quick succession when a set play put Roberts in space who lined up with Rixon Russell who scored under the posts, Roberts converted for a 20-4 lead at half-time.
The opening period of the second half was lacklustre until, after 15 minutes, a stroke of luck allowed the Eagles to grab their second try of the day, a deflected kick which landed in the arms of Jenkins who sent winger Ethan Gardner over in the corner.
Given field position from an Albion Park error, Gerringong made the most of the opportunity and prop Tim Moore produced a deft pass to send Brown over for his second which Roberts converted: 26-8.
To the Park's credit they never gave up, and veteran Derek Gray trimmed the lead when he barged over. Paul Bell's conversion made it 26-14.
Then the Lions' Peter Cronin produced a miracle catch from a Park kick and found Isaac Russell in support who raced away to score. Roberts added the extras for 32-14.
Jenkins then grabbed a consolation try as he crossed on the bell to round out the score at 32-18.
In other games, Warilla-Lake South Gorillas and Berry Magpies joined Jamberoo Superoos in fifth spot with 96-6 and 28-14 wins over Port Kembla and Milton-Ulladulla respectively, Jamberoo lost to the unbeaten Shellharbour City Sharks 60-18 at Ron Costello Oval while Nowra-Bomaderry defeated Kiama 22-10.
