THE Gerringong Lions returned to the Group Seven winner's circle on Saturday, by storming back to defeat an ill-disciplined Nowra-Bomaderry Jets side 42-12 at Michael Cronin Oval.
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The visitors opened the scoring in the 11th minute when a cross field bomb by Josh Coulter was athletically gathered by winger Braidon Rumble Walsh in the right corner.
Captain/coach Dylan Farrell converted from the sideline for 6-nil.
The hosts responded nine minutes later, following a smart strip by Nathan Ford.
In the ensuing set, a sweeping move to the right saw Corey Mulhall hit Toby Gumley-Quine with a sharp pass, before the latter did the rest.
Jake Taylor failed to converted and it was 6-4.
With 15 to play in the half, Lions star Rixon Russell was forced to leave the field with a head knock - an injury which was compounded three minutes later, as the Jets had their second.
The visitors' lead was extended in the 28th minute when Coulter miraculously gathered a Farrell chip with his left hand before he offloaded to PJ Ardler to score in the left corner.
Farrell converted from the other sideline for 12-4.
With two minutes to play in the half, after three straight sets on the Jets' line, the Lions has their second when Joel Doosey barged over from close range.
Taylor converted from the left edge to make it 12-10 at half-time.
In an end to end start to a physical second half, Farrell's frustration got the better of him when he was sin-binned in the 46th minute for a punch.
Two minutes later, the boot of Taylor levelled the scores after Tyson Simpson hit Gumley-Quine high, which resulted in a penalty 30 metres out.
The home crowd then erupted when the Lions scored their third - following a Joel Roberts charge down, the ball was spread to the right the next play, which saw Alec Brookes cross out wide.
Taylor converted for 18-12 after 54 minutes.
Three minutes later, the Lions, who well and truly had their tails up at this point, scored their fourth through Corey Mulhall.
Taylor again converted for 24-12.
The fiery contest erupted with 13 to play after the Jets bombed a try, which saw Jets' Jake Gould and Lions' Brookes sin-binned and Coulter sent-off by referee William Drury.
With eight to go, an in and out run down the right touchline by Harry Phillips stretched the lead for the hosts.
Taylor converted from right in front for 30-12.
Three minutes later, again down the right edge, Gumley-Quine sliced through before out sprinting Ryan James to the line.
Taylor continued his strong day with the boot for 36-12.
Lock Taylor then got a try of his own in the final minute, which he converted to make the score 42-12 at full-time.
In the tough win, the Lions, who scored 32 unanswered points in the second half, were led by Ford, Taylor, Judd Collyer and Gumley-Quine, while the Jets were best served by Ryan James, Josh Power Farrell, Dwyane Connors and Zac Kershaw.
Next week, the Lions will travel to Berry to face the Magpies, while the Jets are scheduled to play the Bulldogs, who have forfeited the past two matches, including Sunday's clash with Shellharbour.