THE Gerringong Lions put the embarrassment of last week’s flogging by Albion Park-Oak Flats to bed in the best possible fashion with a vital 30-16 win over keen rivals Berry-Shoalhaven Heads Magpies at Berry Showground in Saturday’s VB South Coast Group 7 Rugby League action.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Going into the game with the memory of the 62 point defeat and coming up against a Magpies side who were shooting for their fifth straight win, the visitors established an early 18-nil lead before conceding the final three tries of the match to hold on for the win.
The Lions got the best-possible start when half-back Rixon Russell latched on to an intercept and raced 60 metres in just the fifth minute, while good lead up by prop Justin O’Hare near the line allowed back-rower Tim Moore to crash over and with both tries being converted by Joel Roberts, the Lions lead 12-nil after nine minutes.
When Gerringong hooker Nathan Ford darted over for a converted try his side were scoring at better then a point a minute but worse was to follow for the Berry side when boom centre Clinton Braddick carelessly upended a Gerringong player after he had passed the ball and referee Nick McInerney, after consulting with both touch judges, sent the young centre from the field.
Down 18-nil and with just 12 men, Berry finally settled and went close to scoring on several occasions before they finally got on the board in the 33rd minute when young winger Daniel Gannon did well to finish a backline movement to score in the corner.
The second half started well for Gerringong as captain Ryan Staples scored in the corner and shortly afterwards replacement Adam Moore went over from dummy half and Joel Roberts, who was having a superb day with the boot, landed two booming sideline conversions to see the Lions lead 30-4.
The remainder of the game was a bit of a war of attrition with both sides making unforced errors but the Magpies, to their credit, started producing some excellent attacking raids and finished strongly, with a double to winger Nathan Falzon and one to veteran five-eighth Geoff Johnson helped them regain some respectability but they just couldn’t buy a goal, with two kicks hitting the posts.
Former Berry players Gavin and Matt Jarrett both played strongly up front for the Lions, as did Justin O’Hare, while Rixon Russell and centre David Reid were also excellent.
Joel Robert’s five from five in blustery conditions also gave his side some breathing space.
Geoff Johnson, veteran prop Mick Blattner and wingers Gannon and Falzon did well for the Magpies.
