After falling behind 18-6 midway through the first half, the defending premiers turned in a composed second 40 minutes to prevail 30-22.

Things didn’t start well for the Lions as they misjudged the opening kick-off and handed the home side a prime attacking opportunity.

After earning a repeat set Kiama opened the scoring through rookie pivot Cameron Vazzoler, who won the race to a Keiran Poole grubber.

Tom Atkins’ conversion put Kiama ahead at 6-nil after just two minutes. 

The Knights’ lead didn’t last long however, with some poor discipline helping to put the Lions on the attack.

Gerringong halfback Rixon Russell made Kiama pay with a combination of his trademark speed as and some deceptive strength as he bullied his way over next to the posts.

Jake Taylor’s conversion leveled the score at 6-all.

With a sense of déjà vu, Gerringong again misjudged the kick-off and put again Kiama back on the attack.

This time the Lions turned the homeside away, however the Knights were soon back in the lead.

With a strong breeze at their back, Kiama were happy to put the ball in the air and that tactic soon lead to points.

A towering bomb from Poole bought Gerringong undone at the back and James Brown dived on a loose ball for Kiama’s second try.

Atkins’ conversion put the score at 12-6.

The lead would soon be extended when Kiama cut the Lions open down the right fringe. 

Josh Toohey, who was a handful for the Lions all day, jumped out of dummy-half to start a movement that ended in Matt Cornell racing away to score.

Atkins added his third goal to push lead to 18-6.

As time ticked down it looked like that score would stand until the break until the Lions crossed just before the siren.

Thanks to some strong defence the visitors started to dominate filed position and they trimmed the lead through the returning Lloyd Bowen who crossed under the posts.

Taylor’s conversion sent the two sides to the break at 18-12.

With the wind at their back in the second half the Lions came out the sheds the stronger of the two sides and they soon pulled back to level pegging with the Knights.

Some poor handling by the Knights to bring the ball off their own line, something that would trouble them throughout the second stanza, gave Gerringong a prime chance to level the score.

A determined run by Nathan Ford put Kiama on the back-foot and back-rower Ewen McCarroll took advantage to dive over untouched.

Taylor converted to make it 18-all.

That score line would remain until the 60th minute when Gerringong grabbed their first lead.

A slick backline play put Corey Mulhall on the outside of his man and the Gerringong centre strolled over to score.

Taylor’s fourth conversion put Gerringong ahead at 24-18.

In less than five minutes Gerringong managed to extend that lead. Bowen again proved too strong close to the line and grabbed his second and what would ultimately be the match winner.

Taylor kept up his perfect day with the boot to make it 30-18.

With four minutes remaining Kiama looked to give themselves a chance when they caught Gerringong’s left edge short.

A cross-field kick fell perfectly into the hands of Matt Morris who touched down to make it 30-22.

Atkins’ conversion attempt was waved away however and with it any chance of Kiama comeback.

For the Lions, Bowen, Ford and Tim Moore all turned in strong efforts, while Toohey, Cornell and Poole were the Knights’ best.