THE Gerringong Lions have kept up their strong start to the 2020 Group Seven season, clawing out a 34-28 win over the Shellharbour Sharks at Ron Costello Oval on Sunday.
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The Lions lead 10-4 at half-time before jumping out to a 28-12 lead in the second half but were made to sweat out the victory as the Sharks mounted a late surge.
The game was played a fast pace for the entire 80 minutes.
With their usual speed through the ruck boosted by the return of props Tim Moore and Kal Collins, the Lions were committed to playing through the middle of the field, while the Sharks looked to hit the edges with halves Matt Carroll and Nick Greenhalgh in charge.
While both sides boast plenty of attacking power, it was defence that dominated the opening stages with the first points not coming until a quarter of the match was gone.
A penalty late in the tackle count put Gerringong on the attack and hooker Nathan Ford dived over out wide for a 4-nil lead at the first drinks break.
Both sides came out the short break still firing but it was the Lions who struck again.
Some second phase play put Kayne Brennan in space and the Lions' centre sent Joel Doosey over. Jake Taylor slotted the conversion for a 10-nil lead.
It was then the Sharks' turn to pressure the Lions' line and they soon hit back. Carrolls' deft grubber popped up perfectly for Declan Morrissy who crossed on the left edge.
Carroll converted for 10-6.
That score would stand till the break after Lions' pivot Tyran Wishart was called back for a forward pass right on the bell.
It was the visitors who came out full of running after the main break and wasted little time in extending their lead.
Replacement back-rower Jordan Chandler found space down the right edge and allowed Ford to jump out of dummy-half and send fullback Matt Winchester over.
Talyor converted for 16-6 Gerringong lead.
Having already had a hand in most of their success, Ford then well and truly put his stamp on the game.
The Lions' skipper again caught the Sharks' defence napping to send Wishart over on the right edge, before darting out of dummy half to send a bustling Brennan over the line.
Taylor added two conversions and the Lions looked well in control at 28-12.
Shellharbour wasn't about to fold though and after a run of possession, they hit back through utility Brody Rigg who burrowed over.
Carroll converted and the sides went to the second half drinks break some ad-lib at 28-12.
The Sharks wasted little time in trimming that lead further after the break and were soon within 10 points after Rigg crashed over for another try converted by Carroll.
As it looked like the Sharks were circling the visitors, it was again Ford who gave his side some breathing room when he barged over out of dummy half for his second try.
Taylor converted and the Lions led 34-18 with 10 to go.
While time was against them, the Sharks fought till the end.
Winger Fuimanu Enese crossed in the corner off some nice backline play, with Carroll's conversion hitting the uprights for the Lions to lead 34-22.
The Gerringong crowd were then made to sweat in the dying minutes when some ad-lib play sent Rigg over out wide for his third try.
Carroll converted and the Lions led by just six with just under two to play.
Any hope of grandstand finish for the Sharks was extinguished when they coughed up the ball in the ensuing set and the Lions held on.
Ford was Gerringong's best, well supported by Moore and Wishart, while Carroll, Rigg and Juvliee Samiu were the Sharks' best.
