At Flinders Field, the desperate hosts opened the scoring in the fifth minute when Jake Kamire found front-row partner Juvi Samiu with a sharp pass - before the latter barged his way over.

Hooker Jayden Sergent missed the easy conversion and it was 4-nil.

Read more: Stanley's debut sparks Eagles to end Lions' 20-month unbeaten run

Nine minutes later, the Gorillas hit back when the returning Jake Brisbane spotted a hole in the defensive line and reached over from close range.

Halves partner Cam Vazzoler, playing his second game of the afternoon after representing NSW Country earlier in the day, converted and gave the visitors their first lead of the match.

With the Rays going on the attack during the back and forth arm-wrestle, it appeared they were going to score their second of the afternoon.

But a Zaan Weatherall pass to his right edge was plucked by Warilla winger Jacek McLaurin, a Rays junior making his first grade debut for the Gorillas, ran 70 metres to score.

Vazzoler failed to convert and it was 10-4.

That lead extended to more than a converted try just before half-time when Sam Hooper, playing his first game for the club in 2021, first intercepted the ball for his side before darting out of dummy-half two plays later, to score under the sticks.

Vazzoler added the extras and the Gorillas led by 12 at half-time.

Read more: Tigers rebound against Sharks to solidify second spot on the ladder

Despite both sides desperate for the win, points were hard to come by in the second, with plenty of errors coming from either side - including seeing former Gorilla Kieran Rankmore sin-binned for a high shot on Jake Goody.

That was until a fortuitous bounce in the 63rd minute saw the Rays score their second - with a Zaan Weatherall grubber kick bouncing off Duke Grant into the hands of Rays skipper Rankmore to score.

Anthony Nabbe converted from right in front and the score was 16-10.

The game's intensity then went up a notch, as the Rays chased the game but any hopes of them equalling the ledger were diminished with James Scott was sin-binned for dissent in the 68th minute.

Things went from bad to worse for the Reh brothers' side when Tyson Owen was sent off for making contact with Jacek McLaurin's head with his elbow.

Off that resulting penalty, Vazzoler made it 18-10 to the Gorillas.

In the dying stages, Kamire was also sin-binned for striking Sam Hooper, as the host finished the match with 11 men on the field.

Read more: Connor reunion helps Shoals record massive victory against Campbelltown

In the win, which takes the Gorillas to 2-2 this season, Hooper, Callum Gromek (who was also playing his first game for the Gorillas in 2021), Brisbane and Jamie Burns led the way, while the Rays, who remain winless this season, were best served by debutant Colby Smith, Kamire, Jayden Harris and Samiu.

The Gorillas have the bye next round, with the Rays heading to Rugby Park on Sunday to face the Nowra-Bomaderry Jets.

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.