Only two Group 7 South Coast Rugby League first-grade games went ahead over the weekend, with the Jamberoo Superoos falling to the Stingrays of Shellharbour to end their playoff hopes.

Originally scheduled for Flinders Fields, the match was moved at the last minute to Cec Glenholmes Oval, where soggy conditions turned the game into a battle of grit.

Players slipped and slopped through the middle of the field all afternoon, with most finishing the game looking like they’d taken a dip in a pool of mud as heavy rain persisted throughout.

The Stingrays struck early in the third minute when debutant winger Landyn Lopez crossed for the opening try. 

Jamberoo quickly responded, with forward Rhys Kennedy crashing over near the line just a few minutes later.

Shellharbour then scored three consecutive tries: a close-range effort from hooker Colby Smith, a slick show-and-go from five-eighth Jake Horton, and a 50-metre line break from second-rower Will Latu.

Jamberoo clawed one back just before half-time through Dean Watling. With the conditions proving tough for goal-kickers, the score remained tight at 20-12 going into the break.

Early in the second half, both sides added a try, taking the score to 24-16. But from the 67th minute onward, the Stingrays took control. 

Halfback Trey Barlow set up lock Liam Henry for his second try of the day, before the Stingrays piled on three more tries to seal a 42-16 victory.

Jamberoo are now out of finals contention. Photo: @SticksPix_

Despite the scoreline, injured Stingrays fullback Jimmy Scott said the final result didn’t tell the story of the contest.

“The scoreline didn’t really reflect the outcome of the game. It was very physical, and the wind and rain definitely made it tough through the middle,” Scott said.

He also praised the team’s resilience after going a man down.

“Jack Walsh McKeirnan got sent off with 20 minutes to go, but the boys dug deep and ended up running away with it. Will Latu and Colby Smith were the best on ground,” he added.

In the other game of the round, the Albion Park-Oak Flats Eagles edged out the Nowra-Bomaderry Jets 18-12.

The postponed matches - including Shellharbour Sharks vs Milton-Ulladulla Bulldogs and the local derby between Gerringong Lions and Kiama Knights - will be played this weekend.