The Nathan Ford-coached side, who were the South Coast representatives after Edmund Rice College wasn't allowed to attend due to lockdown restrictions, headed to McDonalds Park earlier this month to contest the semi-final of the Country Cup, against the three other southern regional winners.

During the two-day tournament, Kiama first defeated Forbes' Red Bend 6-nil before then downing Wagga Wagga's Kildare Catholic College 14-4.

"The boys played really well our first game against Red Bend - it was one of the fastest and tight schoolboy games I have seen in a long time," Ford said.

"It was like the final as they had already beaten the Kildare team in their first round.

"We defended our line really well in the first half and just missed a couple of opportunities.

"Our second half was really strong especially after losing our starting front-rower to a dislocated elbow."

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These two wins for Ford's squad, which features Seth Pearman, Bailey Marks, Isaac Laughton, Ayden Curl, Cooper Harrison, Caleb Hall, Ashton Ward, Beau Anderson, Jasper Scobie, Wes Pring, Ryan Hodgson, Travis Barrett-Hancock, Jack Quine, Dylan Egan and Jack Wallace, gets them one step closer to continuing Kiama High's strong rugby league pedigree - highlighted by the school's under 13s team also reaching the state final and the under 15s progressing to the semi-finals.

"A couple of the current squad, such Dylan [Egan], Ashton [Ward] and Wes [Pring] among others were part of the school's under 13s side that won the Country Cup final before losing it in the under 15s," Ford said.

"This group, who are keen to make amends for their under 15s loss, are following in the footsteps former Kiama team that have won Country Cups, including the side headlined by my brother Jackson, Dylan Morris and Toby Gumley-Quine.

"With rugby league being one of, if not the most, popular spot in the area and numerous strong juniors clubs feeding into the school, we've been lucky to produce plenty of solid teams over the years.

"The boys' commitment helps when selecting the team, not to mention having a willing group of teachers who are prepared to assist with sports teams and give students as many opportunities to succeed as possible."

The grand final will be played in term four, where Ford's side will be pitted against the winner of the northern region - which will be one of St Francis Xavier (Hamilton), Taree High School, Inverell High School or St Johns College Woodlawn.

"Winning the Country Cup would mean a lot as the boys haven't played much footy," Ford, the Gerringong Lions first grade skipper, said.

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"The side is predominantly made up of Gerringong boys who were leading the 18s and 16s competitions before they were cancelled [due to COVID-19].

"The past couple of years have been tough for the students at this school, for a number of reasons, and a victory in a tournament like this would put a lot of smiles on people's faces at the school - not to mention it would be unreal to send out our two year 12 players, Ryan Hodgson and Travis Barrett-Hancock, as winners with a title."

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