Kiama Knights and Gerringong Lions claimed victories over the weekend in Round 13 of the Group 7 South Coast Rugby League, with both sides now sitting comfortably inside the top five.

Coming off a one-point win against the Shellharbour Sharks, the Lions went one better against the Milton-Ulladulla Bulldogs, clinching the match by just two points.

Played in Milton, it was the home side that struck first, scoring a try in the second minute. 

They followed it up with a spectacular effort in the ninth minute, as Jake Walsh plucked a Jayden Millard kick out of the air for a try.

It looked as though the score would remain 12-0 at halftime, but seconds before the siren, Lions five-eighth Jake Taylor turned Noah Parker inside to score next to the posts.

Gerringong needed to hit back after the break, and in the 55th minute, Toby Gumley-Quine broke through the Milton defence, running 40 metres to score a brilliant solo try and level the scores at 12-all.

Gerringong are hitting form at the right time. Photo: @SticksPix_

Ten minutes later, a clever short-side play allowed James Kunkler to cross in the corner. However, an unsuccessful conversion from Taylor kept the score at 16-12.

With 10 minutes to go, Milton were attacking Gerringong’s line when halfback Jayden Millard put up a bomb, chased it himself, and capitalised on a fumble by the Gerringong fullback to reclaim the lead at 18-16.

The game appeared to be over, but in a dramatic finish, Kunkler grubber-kicked near the sideline.

The ball ricocheted off a Milton player's leg, and Kunkler kicked it again - twice - before Tyrell Taione grounded the ball millimetres from the dead-ball line, sealing a stunning game-winner for Gerringong.

“It’s always a tough road trip down to Milton. We started slow, but I was impressed with how we changed the momentum with our kick chase and defence,” said Lions Captain Nathan Ford.

“It was great to get a late win. We’re starting to win some of those close ones, which will put us in a good position for the games coming up at the end of the season.”

Coach Scott Stewart reflected on the tight competition:

“The competition is so close at the moment. It's crucial that you turn up every week because everyone's been beating everyone. So it's really important.”

In a sign of just how unpredictable the competition is, league leaders Shellharbour Sharks suffered an unexpected loss to Albion Park-Oak Flats.

Meanwhile, the Knights hosted Berry and even though the Magpies were coming off a strong win against Nowra-Bomaderry, they were no match for an in-form Kiama side.

The Knights dominated early, scoring three unanswered tries in the first half through Kye Andrews, Callan Thistlethwaite, and Tom Atkins.

Kye Andrews, who has been a standout for Kiama this year, crossing for one of Kiama's six tries. Photo: @SticksPix_

Leading 16-0 at halftime, Kiama halfback Cameron Vazzoler sliced through the defence to score right after the break. Ashton Thurgate added another try in the 54th minute to extend the lead to 26-0.

Berry did manage a well-worked consolation try off a long cut-out pass, but Kiama had the final say with Atkins crossing again in the 63rd minute - his second of the day.

Injured fullback Brad Kilmore praised the team’s defensive effort:

“The boys played very well. It was a great defensive effort - only letting in one try - and so good to get back in the winning circle.

"It’ll hopefully get us some momentum for the back end of the year.”

Looking ahead, Kiama will host Milton-Ulladulla next week, while Gerringong will take on Albion Park. Jamberoo, who had the bye this week, will face Berry at home.