The Gerringong Lions shocked Group 7 competition leaders, the Stingrays of Shellharbour, on Sunday with a hard-fought 22-10 win at home.

After more than 150mm of rain hit the Illawarra last week, Group 7 officials were forced to cancel all grades except first grade for Round 17.

With just two rounds remaining and every top-five position still up for grabs, the clash between the first-placed Stingrays and fifth-placed Lions had the potential to either shake up the ladder or cement key positions - and it did not disappoint.

The Stingrays opened the scoring in just the second minute when replacement fullback Josh Maude stepped off his left foot to break through the Gerringong defence.

The score remained 4-0 until the 32nd minute when Gerringong centre Tyrell Taione responded with a similar right-foot step to level it at 4-4.

Just before the break, a penalty in front of the posts gave the Stingrays a chance to edge ahead, with halfback Trey Barlow slotting the goal to make it 6-4 at halftime.

Gerringong struck first after the restart when halfback Rixon Russell executed a show-and-go to slice through the defence and score in the 48th minute, giving the home side a 10-6 lead. 

Five minutes later, a slick flick pass from Kayne Brennan put Kye Deane over in the corner, again levelling the scores at 10-10.

A tense passage of play followed, with both sides trading sets and defending strongly. 

Gerringong Lions will hope to leap from fifth to the top three after round 18. Photo: SticksPix_

Eventually, Gerringong forward Wes Pring broke the line, putting the Stingrays on the back foot. A few tackles later, centre Beau Doosey finished off the movement to push Gerringong back in front.

With time winding down, the Lions attempted a field goal to stretch their lead but it missed the mark. 

A few minutes later, however, they were handed a full set on the Stingrays' line after a penalty. Winger Liam Holland pounced on the opportunity, grubbering through and regathering to seal the win for Gerringong.

Injured Stingrays fullback Jimmy Scott said: “We were pretty good in defence, but we just made far too many mistakes and gave away too many penalties. 

“Having the last two weeks off probably didn’t help as well. I think the loss might give the squad a much-needed wake-up call. Hopefully we can get a win against Kiama next week to build that confidence into finals.”

Meanwhile, a depleted Jamberoo Superoos side were soundly beaten by Albion Park away from home. 

The hosts, sitting fourth on the ladder, opened their account in just the second minute and added three more tries to lead 22-0 at halftime - a deficit Jamberoo might have recovered from under better circumstances.

However, Albion Park ran in two quick tries in the 48th and 51st minutes to put the game out of reach, before piling on four more before full-time to finish 54-0 winners. 

It marked Jamberoo’s ninth straight loss in a season plagued by injuries, and Albion Park’s third win on the trot as they build momentum for the finals.

This Saturday, Jambero will face competition leaders Shellharbour Sharks, while Kiama, who had the bye in Round 17, return to action against the Stingrays. Gerringong take on the Nowra-Bomaderry Jets on Sunday. 

With only three points separating first and fifth on the Group 7 ladder, both Kiama (third) and Gerringong (fifth) will be desperate for wins in Round 18 to secure a double chance in the finals beginning on 6 September.