KIAMA have claimed early-season bragging rights over traditional rivals Gerringong following a 30-18 win at Kiama Showground on Sunday afternoon.
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The Knights took a slim lead into half-time over the Lions and were made to sweat it a little as the visitors looked to launch a late comeback, but they ultimately held on for the important win.
It was good going for the home side in the opening stages, with some early field position putting pressure on the Lions.
Following a drop out, the Knights capitalised as a quick shift to the left put Dylan Morris on the outside of his man and the Kiama winger crossed in the corner.
Hamish McLaurin had some help from the upright on his conversion attempt to put his side up 6-nil.
A Knights’ error as they tried to work the ball out of their own end gave the Lions a chance soon after and it was the visitors’ turn to capitalise.
Some nice work by Nathan Ford and Harry Phillips gave Toby Gumley-Quine just enough pace and the Lions centre crossed to bring the score to 6-4.
Gerringong soon had the lead when lock Joel Roberts caught Kiama napping on the fifth tackle and reached out from dummy-half to make it 8-6.
It looked like the Lions would hold that lead until the break until Kiama hooker Daniel Martin made the most of some tiring Gerringong defenders.
Martin broke through out of dummy-half and found Tom Atkins in support and the Kiama fullback streaked away to hand the Knights a 10-8 lead at the break.
The Knights would keep that momentum going in the second half and wasted little time in taking control of the game.
Kiama utility Brent Wake was the first Knight to cross after the resumption of play, latching onto a grubber into the in-goal and scoring under the posts.
Vaughn Thistlethwaite’s conversion put the home side up 16-8.
Throughout the second half Kiama seemed more than keen to throw the ball around and that soon helped extend their lead when the Morris brothers combined to cut through the Gerringong defence.
This time it was Matt who crossed, pushing the lead out to two-converted tries at 20-8.
Kiama didn’t take their foot off the gas and they were soon in again as Gerringong were again made to pay for not cleaning up a kick.
Replacement Jay Delaney dived on the loose ball and crossed in the corner to put the lead out to 24-8.
With just over 15 to go, Kiama solidified their lead through Thistlethwaite.
The Knights caught the Lions short on the right fringe and the Kiama replacement strolled over. McLaurin knocked over the conversion for a 30-8 lead.
While it seemed unlikely, the Lions did their best to peg the home side back in the dying stages.
Some ad-lib play down the left fringe put them on the attack and Judd Collyer crossed. Roberts’ conversion bought the score to 30-14.
Gerringong then bought the lead back to two converted tries at 30-18, when some clever play sent fullback Matt Winchester over but that would be the closest they would get.
Martin, Cameron Vazzoler and Luke Sutton turned in strong performances for Kiama, while Ford, Kal Collins and Jacob Rein did all they could for Gerringong.