The victory, the Knights fourth in a row, was set up by three tries and 10 goals from five-eighth Hamish McLaurin – for a personal tally of 32 points.

Hooker Daniel Martin also scored a hat-trick, while Matt Morris scored another two tries, making it six in the past two games.

“Hamish McLaurin probably had his best game in Knights colours, scoring three tries against his former club,” Kiama coach Matt Clarke said. 

“Daniel Martin was also solid again in the middle – being very dangerous in attack and being strong defensive.

“Apart from the two blokes that scored three tries, captain Kieran Poole was exceptional, as he always is.

“Then our middles, such as Luke Sutton, James Brown and Toby Nobes were tough and never took a backward step.”

Other Knights to cross the line were Jay Delaney (two), Tom Atkins, Cameron Cornell, Cameron Vazzoler and Lachlan Farrell.

While the percentage boost pleased Clarke, he was more impressed that they achieved a goal of theirs.

“At the start of the week, I set the boys the goal of having higher than an 80 per cent completion rate,” he said.

“To the boys credit, they were disciplined and only dropped the ball three times in each half – to finish with an 82 per cent completion rate.

“This dominance with the ball didn’t give the Stingrays too much opportunity and allowed us to score points with ease.

“The scoreline will bump up the all important for and against, which will be crucial come the end of the season.

“We knew the past four games would be crucial to our season – the goal was to build some momentum in the games we should win and head into the second half of the season on a positive note.”

The Knights and the rest of Group Seven will have the June long weekend off, before they face Jamberoo in the second local derby of the season on Saturday, June 16 at the Kiama Showground.

“Before we take on Jamberoo, we need to work on a few little things,” Clarke said.

“Primarily, we need to sharpen up our defence, while touching up our attacking shape.

“As a coach, I’m never happy with our play but I think as a group, we are building nicely.”