THE Kiama Knights have rebounded from just their third loss of the season by defeating the Port Kembla Blacks 28-16 on Saturday.
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At the Kiama Showground, the visitors opened the day’s scoring after just one minute, when hooker Kurtis Jackson dived over – before the try was converted by five-eighth Mitch Rosser.
This jolted the hosts into action, scoring three tries within 10 minutes through Josh Toohey, James Brown and Cam Vazzoler, thanks in part to Port’s Mark Simon being sin-binned for a professional foul – giving Kiama a 16-6 lead.
Then in the 33rd minute, Matt Cornell pounced on a dropped ball by Port and run 50 metres to score his side’s fourth try. Vazzoler converted and added a penalty goal on the stoke of half-time, to give the Knights a 16-point lead.
Port fought back in the second half, scoring two tries within four minutes, through Simon and Daryl Millard, to reduce the margin 22-16 with 23 minutes to play.
But with 10 minutes to play, the Knights iced the game when Oliver Powell scored, which was converted by Vazzoler – making it 28-16, which is how it ended.
“I thought we had a really good first half but to Port’s credit, they stepped it up defensively in the second,” Knights coach Matt O’Brien said.
“That helped them score two tries in quick succession but the boys responded and halted their momentum – against one of the biggest packs in the competition.
”Overall, I was happy the way the boys responded from the loss last week, in particular I thought both Matt and Cam Cornell played exceptionally well.
“The most pleasing aspect was our discipline, with us only giving away six penalties for the game and that will be something we will look to continue against Albion Park-Oak Flats this Sunday.”