THE Gerringong Lions have started the 2021 Group Seven season where they left off in 2020, downing the Warilla-Lake South Gorillas 28-20 at Cec Glenholmes Oval on Sunday.
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The eagerly awaited grand final rematch didn't disappoint, as two sides put on the physical and entertaining match that's come to be expected from the modern-day rivals.
Warilla, coming off a hard-fought win in round one against Shellharbour took a two-point lead into half-time, but the Lions, in their first match of the year, came home with a wet sail to grab the win.
It was a dream start for the visitors, being coached by Scott Stewart for the first time, when NSW Country representative Corey Mulhall crossed in the opening five minutes.
Lions' skipper Nathan Ford turned the lock forward underneath close to the line and Mulhall touched down almost untouched.
Jake Taylor's conversion gave the Lions the lead at 6-nil.
The Lions held that lead for 10 minutes until some committed running by the Gorillas' big men put them on the attack.
Back-rower Duke Grant was the beneficiary as he muscled his way over out wide.
Blair Grant struck the uprights with his conversion and the Lions held a 6-4 lead.
With 10 minutes remaining in the half, the Gorillas took their first lead of the match.
Blair Grant made the most of a backpedalling Lions defence with a pinpoint cut out pass that put Dane Nelson over in the corner.
The fullback made no mistake with his second conversion and the Gorillas took a 10-6 lead.
Following Nelson's try, the Lions fought their way back into the game, but couldn't find a way to break the Gorilla's defence.
On the stroke of half-time, a penalty goal to Taylor sent the sides to sheds with Warilla holding a 10-8 lead.
Following the break, the Gorilla's wasted little time in extending their lead.
It was Blair Grant who again bought Gerringong undone.
His grubber into the in-goal wasn't cleaned up and off-season recruit Cam Vazzoler dived on the loose ball for a converted try and 16-8 lead.
It was then a new Gerringong recruit who helped the Lions back into the game.
Former Nowra-Bomaderry Jet Dylan Farrell put the Lions on the attack with some determined running and Isaac Russell cut through the defence before sending elder brother Rixon over.
Taylor added another conversion and the lead was back to two at 16-14.
Gerringong soon made it make back-to-back four-pointers when the Gorillas spilt a Lions' bomb.
Some quick thinking around the loose ball by Taylor sent Joel Doosey away, who linked up with Hamish Holland who crossed under the posts.
Taylor added another goal and the Lions took the lead at 20-14.
The Gorillas soon hit back as the see-sawing affair continued to lock the scores up with 20 to play.
A show and go by Vazzoler caught the Lions out and the Warilla half dived over out wide.
Blair Grant stepped up and knocked over the conversion for 20-all.
With just over 10 remaining the Lions grabbed what proved to be the match-winner.
A break by Doosey put the Lions on the attack and Isaac Russell ran the ball on the last and found Judd Collyer in support.
The Lions prop crashed over under the posts and Farrell slotted the conversion for a 26-20 lead.
Farrell then knocked over a penalty goal inside the final 10 minutes to put any chance of a Warilla come back to bed and round out the score at 28-20.
The Lions, who last tasted defeat in week two of the 2019 finals to Kiama, were best served by Isaac Russell, Denver Ford, Farrell and Mulhall, while Vazzoler, Blair Grant, Duke Grant and Lleyton Hughes did all they could for the hosts.
Next up on Saturday, May 1 for the Lions is a clash with the Jets at Michael Cronin Oval, while the Gorillas travel to the Kiama Showground to take on the Knights the following day.
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