The Round 15 local derby between the Gerringong Lions and the Kiama Knights is always a crowd-puller, no matter where the teams sit on the ladder.

But this particular showdown had a few extra layers of intrigue.

First, Kiama and Gerringong entered the match sitting second and third, respectively, on the Group 7 South Coast Rugby League ladder.

Second, only three rounds remain in the regular season, so every game from here on out is crucial for finals contention.

And third, after being postponed due to weather, the game was shifted from Michael Cronin Oval to Albion Park’s Centenary Field - a last-minute venue change that only heightened anticipation.

The only other meeting between these two sides this season was back in Round 6, when Kiama emerged victorious 16-8 in similarly wet and muddy conditions at the Kiama Showground.

So, expectations were high - and the game didn’t disappoint.

The match remained scoreless for the first 32 minutes, with both sides threatening to cross the line but being denied by desperate last-ditch defence. 

The deadlock was finally broken after a Gerringong player gave a mouthful to the referee, resulting in a penalty. Brad Killmore slotted the goal to give Kiama a 2-0 lead.

However, the lead was short-lived. Gerringong’s restart went dead in-goal, forcing a drop-out. A Gerringong player was then tackled without the ball, earning a penalty in front of the posts. Jake Taylor levelled the score at 2-2.

Jake Taylor scored the only points for Gerringong over the weekend. Photo: Brian Scott

Just before half-time, Kiama were awarded another penalty, and Killmore again made no mistake, nudging the Knights ahead 4-2 at the break.

The second half mirrored the first: end-to-end play, tight defence, and few clear chances. 

But in the 66th minute, Kiama five-eighth Sam Hooper threw a perfect pass to put Kye Andrews through a hole. Andrews sprinted 40 metres and stepped around the fullback to score the first try of the match.

With 14 minutes left, Kiama led 10-2. Gerringong launched a wave of attacks, but their efforts were in vain. 

In the 78th minute, Hooper broke the Lions’ hearts and sealed the win with a brilliant dummy and step, slicing through to score Kiama’s second try.

The final score: Kiama 16, Gerringong 2. With the win, the Knights are now just two points behind ladder leaders Stingrays of Shellharbour.

Sam Hooper scored the winning try for Kiama on the weekend. Photo: Brian Scott

“It was a great win, especially the fact we only leaked two points against Gerringong, who have a lot of attacking threats,” said fullback Brad Killmore.

“We’ve really prided ourselves on our defence and staying in the grind - and it paid off this week. It’s a good momentum builder heading into the finals.”

Gerringong captain Nathan Ford also praised his team's defence, but said the team failed to execute in vital moments of the match.

“Tough conditions again,” said Ford. “I thought we defended really well most of the game only letting in two late tries. Missed some opportunities in attack, which were really close and could have changed the game.”

“We have three games left and we now look ahead to this week and start to build into the semi finals. We know what we need to do at the back end of the season - focus on all the little errors in our game.”

In the round’s only other match, Shellharbour Sharks defeated the Milton-Ulladulla Bulldogs 40-10.

This Saturday, Kiama will take on Albion Park, while Jamberoo will play Milton-Ulladulla and Gerringong face Shellharbour Sharks in a grand final rematch at Ron Costello Oval on Sunday.