The hosts, who'd split their two opening-round matches, actually found themselves behind after just four minutes, when the Gorillas opened the scoring.

Following a cut-out pass by five-eighth Blair Grant, winger Liam Vane Tempest toed the ball through before lock Liam Quinn won the foot race and slammed the ball down.

Grant added the extras and it was 6-nil after as many minutes.

Six minutes later, Marc Laird's troops responded when fullback Dylan Morris grubbered it through for older brother Matt to score.

Centre Brad Killmore converted and the scores were level.

Read more: Lions make dominant start to home campaign with mauling of Jets

Four minutes later, the Knights had their first lead, with Dylan Morris again being heavily involved - this time putting forward Ty Cloos into a hole with a short-ball.

Killmore's conversion made it 12-6.

Things got better for the host short after when Dylan Morris bagged a four-pointer of his own, escaping the grasps of three Warilla defenders on his way to the line.

Killmore made no mistake, landing his third straight conversion.

Following a penalty goal by Killmore, the red and black's dominant first half was completed when Kieran Poole and Dylan Morris combined to send back-rower Jordan Morn over.

Killmore converted and the host led 26-6 at the break.

Read more: Steelers fall agonisingly short of back-to-back SG Ball titles against Raiders

The hosts picked up where they left off in the second half when a short-sided play involved Daniel Martin, Tom Atkins, Cam Cornell and Dylan Morris put Parish Bellette over.

Killmore's kick extended the lead to 26 points with 24 to play.

In the 67th minute, Cornell grabbed a try for himself and despite a late try by Cam Vazzoler against his former side (which was converted by Grant), the Knights ran out winners by 24 points.

The Knights now travel to Ron Costello Oval on Saturday to face the Sharks while Warilla, who are now 1-2, will look to rebound when they host Milton-Ulladulla at Cec Glenholmes Oval.

We depend on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribe here. If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support.