A CLINICAL, dominant second half performance ensured Warilla-Lake South has kept its undefeated Group 7 Rugby League season record intact.
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Following being locked up at 18-all at the oranges against Milton-Ulladulla, the Gorillas unleashed, racking up 30 unanswered points during the second stanza to win 48-18.
Warilla had to overcome a remarkable opening at Cec Glenholmes Oval, whereby the Bulldogs led 12-nil after just five minutes, to score their sixth consecutive victory.
The home side were also aided by fullback Nick Lazarevski’s perfect day with the boot, landing eight goals.
The home fans had just begun tucking into their meat pies when Milton was on the board after little more than 60 seconds.
Centre Mitch Simington collected a Warilla clearing kick and got on the outside of the chasers, sprinting more than 80 metres to score.
The electrifying speed displayed meant the try will be one for the highlight reel.
A Gorillas mistake put the visitors at the money end of the field, and they struck gold when from the ensuing set Adam Bliss caught the defence short on numbers, diving over from dummy half.
The home side swiftly cut the deficit in half when an Aaron Henry bust through the middle found Beau Sewell backing up.
While attempting to score the ball appeared to be knocked from his grasp by a Milton defender, the hooker pouncing on the crumbs.
The scores were levelled when Warilla pivot Jesse Dee powered his way across the stripe, carrying opposition players with him.
A Sewell short ball to Damien Paulissen meant the rampaging prop was impossible to halt from close range, while classy Bulldogs fullback Tom Cook danced around the defence to cross.
The half-time stalemate didn’t last long.
In the 46th minute, a movement started by Keiran Rankmore’s bullocking run, aided by a great Dee pass and finished off in spectacular fashion by winger Chad Lisch again put Warilla ahead.
Despite a glut of Bulldogs possession, the Gorillas repelled their attacking raids and soon added to their tally via Jarryd Pepper.
Warilla can be one of the most difficult teams in the competition to stop when momentum swings their way, and Milton’s attempts to play catch-up football led to a few untimely errors.
Quick-fire tries to Rankmore, Luke Watts and Lisch further blew out the margin.
Paulissen, Rankmore, Dee and Sewell were the standouts for Warilla, while Luke Young, Gary Warburton and Hayden Naylor never stopped trying for the visitors.
