Kiama Knights got retribution for last week's nail-biting loss to the Stingrays by claiming a hard-fought victory in their own thriller against the Jamberoo Superoos.

It was all Kiama early in Round 10 of the Group 7 competition at Kevin Walsh Oval, with the first points coming in the eighth minute. 

Halfback Cameron Vazzoler placed a perfectly weighted kick into the hands of Kye Andrews, who rose above the pack to score.

Four minutes later, a crucial mistake from Jamberoo led to Kiama’s second try. 

After a half-break returning from their own line, the Superoos spilled the ball.

Kiama swooped on the loose possession, swinging it to the sideline and back before Killmore broke through the line, drew the fullback, and passed to Callum Hodgson to finish the move - turning a defensive scare into another four points.

Killmore crossed for a try himself in the 23rd minute, and it looked like Kiama were poised to run away with the game.

Kiama are third on the Group 7 ladder. Photo: @SticksPix_

But, as footy pundits often say - the tide always turns. It did so in the 29th minute when Jamberoo’s dummy-half Mason Phillips burrowed over to score.

Momentum shifted completely as Jamberoo crossed twice more before the break - one through a forward crash-over and another in the corner - leveling the scores at 16-all at half-time.

In contrast to the high-scoring first half, the second half featured just one try. 

In the 47th minute, Kiama centre Max Jennings looked to have bombed a golden opportunity when he went himself on a two-on-one overlap in the corner. 

But in a desperate effort to get the ball away while being tackled, Jennings managed to offload to Callan Thistlewaite, who scored in the corner.

That proved to be the match-winner. Kiama led 22-16 with 30 minutes to play, and the scoreline remained unchanged until the final whistle.

Jamberoo have struggled with injuries throughout 2025, but still remain close to the top five. Photo: @SticksPix_

Jamberoo had a golden chance late in the game when fullback Jack Talbott took a quick tap and appeared destined to run the length of the field. But a desperate ankle tap from Killmore brought him down, and the Superoos were unable to capitalise on the opportunity.

"Very similar game to the week prior,” said Jamberoo coach Jono Dallas. “We were right in it and had enough chances to win, but unfortunately, we just keep getting unlucky with personnel in crucial moments.

“We lost Kyle Stone and James Gilmore in the opening 20 minutes, then Clarkey (Dreau Clark) with 20 to go.

"Already having a long list of guys out just makes it hard. The boys are doing their best but just don’t have the experience yet."

Kiama coach Matt O’Brien was thrilled to secure the two competition points.

"Good to win away from home after a close loss last week. Always tough games against Jamberoo out there," he said.

Next week, the Knights host Nowra-Bomaderry Jets, with Kiama also celebrating the reunion of their 1985 first-grade premiership-winning team.

In the other local match on the weekend, the Gerringong Lions dominated the Berry Magpies with a commanding 44-6 win.

They'll look to carry that form into this weekend's local derby against the struggling Superoos.