THE Kiama Knights' Group Seven premiership defence is over after being knocked out of the Jamberoo Superoos 30-10 in Sunday's elimination final.
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In a replay of last year's grand final, the Superoos made an impressive start at the Bomaderry Sports Complex.
After making easy metres through the middle, five-eighth Mark Asquith put hooker Daniel Burke into a gap, before the latter barged over to score under the sticks.
Fullback Kurt Field converted and it was 6-nil after five minutes.
That lead doubled two minutes later when Mark Asquith did it all his own and powered over, despite four Kiama defenders.
Field's conversion extended the lead to 12.
Knowing they needed to score next, the premiers, who lost Luke Chalker to a calf injury in the warm-up (with Josh Toohey replacing him), appeared a much more determined side after the drinks break, leading to their opener.
After being guilty of going to side-to-side early on, the Knights' attack straightened up, seeing five-eighth Tim Atkins attract three defenders before putting centre Callan Thistlethwaite over.
Cam Vazzoler failed to convert and it was 12-4.
Kiama's comeback attempts were helped in the 30th minute when Jamberoo second-rower Corey Grigg was sin-binned for an altercation with Toby Nobes.
The very next set, the Knights had their second when a sleight of hand by Dylan Morris put Tom Angel over.
Vazzoler converted and it was 12-10 - which is how it remained until half-time.
With their full complement on the field, the Superoos were forced to withstand consistent pressure from the Knights in the opening 10 minutes in the second half.
That resilience was rewarded when Ben Barnard collected an Atkins' kick on his own 20 metre line, before racing the length of the field to score just to the left of the posts.
Field nailed his third conversion and the lead was eight was 28 to play.
Just before the second half drinks break, the Superoos broke the hearts of the Knights fans by crossing for their fourth.
In the lead-up, a Mark Asquith break nearly put halves partner Jono Dallas over to score - with only a courageous tackle by skipper Kieran Poole holding him out
But Kiama didn't get a chance to set their defensive line and a simple shift to the left saw Grigg charge over.
Field had his kicking boots on, landing his fourth straight conversion attempt, which stretched the lead out to 24-10.
The match was sealed in the final minute when winger Nathan Gallastegui found space down the western touchline to score.
Field completed his perfect afternoon with the boot, to make it 30-10 at full-time.
In the win, which progresses the Superoos to their fourth straight preliminary final, Luke Asquith, Jake Clarke, Jayden Morgan and Jarryd Smith were exceptional.
While in the loss, which ends Kiama's hopes of a fourth straight grand final, Daniel Martin, Josh Dowel, Poole and Angel never stopped trying.
The Superoos will now face the Gorillas for the third time in three months, in Saturday's preliminary final at Cec Glenholmes Oval.
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