The possibility of a Kiama v Gerringong grand final in the Group Seven is still alive after both teams advanced in last week’s opening round of the playoffs.

Gerringong survived their sudden-death match by the skin of their teeth to come back from eight points down against the Shellharbour Stingrays while the Knights also had a nail-biter, edging out Albion Park-Oak Flats 30-28.

The Lions trailed 8-0 after a scrappy first-half showing but after coach Scott Stewart laid down the law at the break, they responded with four tries in the second stanza to complete a 20-12 triumph at Flinders Field.

Tom Knox and Nathan Ford crossed the stripe early in the second term but the Stingrays responded with a four-pointer of their own before Beau Doosey touched down with a few minutes to go to seal the victory.

Gerringong’s hopes of a three-peat will again go on the line this Saturday when they travel to Centenary Field hoping to bring down the Eagles, who were narrowly beaten by the Knights.

Kiama and the Park went toe to toe in the opening 40 minutes at Kiama Showground

After scores were locked up at 20-20 at half-time, the Eagles stretched out to an eight-point lead before centre Max Jennings brought Kiama back into the contest and fullback Brad Killmore scored the match-winner with five minutes remaining.

“We just finally got a bit of field position,” coach Matt O’Brien said in explaining their late surge to victory.

“Once we held the ball for a few sets in a row, we were able to put them under pressure with our defence.”

O’Brien said the Park have an imposing pack but young Kiama prop, Taj Roberts, in his first year out of the under 18s, stood up to the challenge.

“It was probably his best game of the year,” he said. “We needed Taj to stand up in the middle and he did, particularly in his first stint.”

They now face the minor premiers, Shellharbour Sharks, on Sunday at Ron Costello Oval with the winners earning the right to go straight through to the grand final.

“It’s been a pretty tight comp all year,” O’Brien said.

“Going into the weekend you would have thought any of the five teams can win. You’ve got to be playing your best footy or the other team will have the wood on you.”

Kiama will also take on the Sharks in reserve grade this Sunday and the Knights are aiming to make the grand final in both grades for the first time since back-to-back years in 2017-18.