THE Gerringong Lions made it back-to-back Group Seven victories on Sunday, after downing the Kiama Knights 32-8 at a blustery Kiama Showground.
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The Lions ran in three tries in the first half to lead 16-nil at half-time, before adding another three in the second half as a depleted Knights side had little answer for the reigning premiers.
For the Knights, it was their second straight heavy defeat and also soured the celebrations for hooker Daniel Martin who was marking 100 first grade games for the club.
The Lions didn't take long to open the scoring, with fullback Denver Ford crossing inside the first five minutes.
A barnstorming run by Dylan Farrell had the Kiama defence on their heels and a slick show and go by Ford saw him cross next to the posts.
Jake Taylor added the conversion and the Lions led 6-nil.
The Lions continued to dominate possession but were made to wait for their next points.
With just over 20 minutes gone, it was Farrell who again opened the game up.
A kick by Nathan Ford sat up in the breeze and Farell produced some deft hands to reel in the bouncing ball and cross on the left edge for 10-nil.
It looked as if that score would stand until half-time until the Knights were again bought undone by a kick.
Isaac Russell's bomb was allowed to bounce and Hamish Holland toed the ball on and dived over under the posts.
Taylor added another conversion on the stroke of half-time for 16-nil.
The Lions wasted little time in adding to their lead after the break, after getting Kiama on the backfoot early in the second half.
The Lions rolled upfield easily before earning a penalty late in the tackle count.
Nathan Ford took full advantage of the prime opportunity to send a hard-running Lloyd Bowen over under the posts.
Taylor added his third conversion and the Lions led 22-nil.
While all of the running had been with the visitors, Kiama then looked like they would hit back when mercurial fullback Dylan Morris raced away down the sideline, only to be bought down by some desperate cover defence from Lions veterans Nathan Ford and Rixon Russell.
The Lions then turned that defence into attack and had their fifth try of the day through replacement Danny Wedd.
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Nathan Ford held the Kiama defence up on the fifth tackle and found Wedd on the blindside, who then dummied his way over the line.
With around 15 to go, the Knights finally opened their account when a backline play to the right got the ball to Morris and he cut through to score in the corner.
Just under 10 minutes later, the Knights would go back-to-back when back-rower Cam Cornell crashed over out wide to bring the score to 26-8.
That would be as close as the Knights would get though, as the visitors ran in another try on the stroke of full-time.
A loose ball ended up in the arms of Lions' Cooper Roberts and the rookie winger turned the Kiama defence inside out as he raced away to score.
Taylor added his fifth conversion to round out the score at 32-6.
Next up for the Lions is a trip to Bill Andriske Oval to face Milton-Ulladulla, while Kiama travel to Flinders Field on Sunday to tackle the Stingrays.
