GERRINGONG have moved back into the Group 7 winner’s circle with a 30-14 win over Port Kembla at Noel Mulligan Oval on Saturday.
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Coming of their first loss of the season against Shellharbour City, Gerringong were made to work hard for the victory by the Blacks and had to do it without Nathan Ford and Tim Moore who picked up injuries in the previous round, while Lloyd Bowen was ruled out during the warm-up.
While the final score line may have flattered the visitors, the Blacks kept close to level pegging with the premiers for much of the 80 minutes - which is another positive sign for the club as they came off the back of their upset win over Jamberoo the week before.
The day started well for the home side as they jumped out to an early 4-nil lead.
Port half Mark Simon put in a kick that Gerringong hoped would go dead, but the ball pulled up and the veteran playmaker caught the Lions out and touched down for the opening try.
The lead wouldn't last long though as possession swung to the Lions.
It was then the turn of their halfback to cross, with a show and go opening the way to the line for Rixon Russell.
Jake Taylor's conversion put Gerringong ahead 6-4.
The Lions soon found themselves again camped on Port's line and extended their lead.
Brad Davidson looked as if he had the next try for the Lions but was held up by some desperate defence.
Port couldn’t produce the same effort on the next play and Michael Brown forced his way over.
Taylor converted for 12-4 Gerringong lead.
The Lions’ lead was trimmed not long after as the Blacks unfolded some enterprising play.
Simon took the line on and found Kaine Edwards who slipped an inside ball to Tamati Ulukita and the Port fullback raced away to score.
Mitch Rosser’s conversion from out wide bought the score to 12-10, which stood until the break.
Gerringong opened the second half the better of the two sides and pulled away again in the early stages.
A penalty helped them in to Port territory and Davidson jumped out of dummy-half and sent Rixon Russell over for his second.
Taylor added the conversion to put it 18-10.
The Lions then looked like they would pull further ahead when the Russell brothers linked up, but Rixon’s pass to Isaac was ruled forward and the Gerringong fullback was called back.
Port made the most of that reprieve and soon shortened the visitor’s lead.
A break by winger Andrew Love put them on the attack and the Blacks made the most of the opportunity when Peni Botiki burrowed over from dummy-half.
Rosser missed the relatively easy conversion to leave the score at 18-14.
Port where then they’re own worst enemies as they turned the ball over as they looked to work it out of their own territory.
Gerringong took advantage of that opportunity and extended the lead through Ewen McCarroll.
The Gerringong hooker found just enough of a gap between some Port defenders on their own line and managed to reach out and ground the ball.
Taylor’s conversion gave Gerringong their largest lead of the game so far at 24-14.
Both sides had their chances following McCarroll’s try but the game’s physical nature began to take its toll and errors became increasingly common.
With three minutes remaining the Lions made the most of a chance and sealed the game when replacement Alec Brookes crossed.
Taylor’s conversion rounded out the score at 30-14.
Taylor, McCarroll and PJ Ford were the Lions’ best, while Simon, Rosser and Kurtis Jackson had strong games for the Blacks.