Kiama Rugby Club’s first-grade side continued their winning streak over the weekend, edging out the Wollongong Vikings 27-21 in a hard-fought contest.

Kiama started strongly, dominating early play and producing what player Dante Patrick described as their best rugby of the season so far.

“That first half was probably the best half we've played all year. We just didn’t allow them to have any ball, and anything they threw at us, we backed our defence and shut it down,” Patrick said.

“Everything was going our way - we felt almost untouchable at that time.”

However, momentum shifted when Kiama received a yellow card just before halftime, followed by another in the second half.

With only 14 men on the field for significant periods, the Vikings capitalised and clawed their way back into the game.

“It was a good effort from the boys, but it got a bit touch-and-go letting them back in during the second half,” Patrick said.

Kiama made it three wins in a row on the weekend despite two yellow cards. Photo: Brian Scott

“But we stuck to our processes and really backed ourselves. We just didn’t feel like we were going to lose - we were still riding that high from the first half.”

The victory marks Kiama’s third consecutive win and they are now third on the ladder, largely due to having played only four games this season, while other teams have played up to six.

“This weekend is round eight, and we’ve only played four games so far, which has been tough and a bit frustrating," Patrick said. "But I’m glad we’re coming good at the right end of the season and starting to move up the ladder.”

“It’s all about timing and preparation, and I think we’ve been nailing that over the past few weeks.”

Fortunately for Kiama, instead of having a bye over the long weekend, they will play a catch-up match on Saturday away to University of Wollongong.

“They’re very competitive, very fit, and very young - it’s unpredictable preparing for a team like University,” Patrick said. 

“Because of their fitness and their willingness to turn up every single time, you can’t prep for something like that. So we’ve just got to make sure we don’t take them lightly, no matter where they are on the ladder.”

In the lead-up to the match, Kiama will focus on discipline and cutting out costly errors.

“I think on game day, we can be our own worst enemies - those piggyback penalties let teams back in, along with our own mistakes,” he said.