The Shoalhaven Ex Servicemen’s Shoals’ 1st grade team added a spectacular highlight by beating local foes, Kiama, 100-5. After leading by 43-0 at the break Shoals put on another 57 points to surge to the century mark by the end of the game.

Shoals forwards laid on a platform for their flying backs who racked up a tally of 16 tries. The Brandon brothers scooped the pool by scoring 13 tries, Mark and Keiran each bagging 6, while Steve scored just the one although he was instrumental in setting up many of the others. 

Ava Raboitoga was equally unstoppable in the centres and used his abundant pace to score three other tries. Keiran Brandon converted 9 of the tries to make a contribution of 48 points to the overall score line.

Shoals opened the game in blistering fashion, as they did in the first round encounter, and put on three quick tries within the first 10 minutes.

Mark Brandon’s speed out wide was simply too fast for Kiama’s defence to handle scoring two of the first three tries.

Steve Brandon then put on display his side stepping brilliance and overpowering speed to dance through the defence and race away for an 80 metre try.

And so this game progressed with Shoals speed men continually racing away for long-range tries.

At times Kiama managed to gain possession and worked hard for multi phases to put pressure back on Shoals but their defence was a solid as a rock. Then the ball would find its way to Shoals’ backs and off they would fly. They scored 7 tries in this first half, most in spectacular fashion.

The second half of the match continued this relentless try scoring. Shoals added a further nine tries as they punished defensive lapses or just outpointed the defence by kicking ahead and using their pace to be first to the bouncing ball.

With Keiran Brandon popping over the conversions the score mounted ominously to the century mark. Perhaps relievingly, Shoals’ scoreboard had not been set up for numbers higher than 99.

Shoals’ win continues to put the team close to the mix for the semi- finals but getting into the top four remains elusive as the higher teams do enough to keep their places.

Shoals go into battle next Saturday against one of these top 4 teams and need to keep winning their last three games to have a shot at the finals. 

Shoals return to Rugby Park on Saturday, August 18, for their second-round clash with Avondale, then finish off the ordinary season with away games against Camden on Saturday, August  25.

Second grade

Shoals have now climbed to third place on the ladder with an inspired 50-3 win over Kiama.

They led 24-3 at the break. Winger Jed Ricketts proved too fast and elusive for Kiama’s defence, touching down for four tries to add to his season tally. 

Third grade

Shoals had a tough encounter against fellow top-four team Kiama. They led 14-7 at the break. Kiama fought back to draw level at 14 points each at the 20-minute mark of the second half.

Shoals absorbed great pressure in the latter stages of the game as Kiama surged.

Shoals’ five-eighth, Leith Cooper, slotted a penalty goal with seconds left on the clock to steer his side to a gallant 17-14 win.