Cronins lead Lions victory

Gerringong are into their first Group Seven grand final in seven years after yesterday's come-from-behind 22-16 victory over Albion Park-Oak Flats in the major semi-final at Centenary Field.Siblings Peter and Pat Cronin were outstanding for the Lions, whose last premiership was in 1994.Minor premiers Albion Park will have to beat long-time rivals Warilla in this Sunday's final at Jamberoo to stay in the hunt for a third straight title.Eagles lock Glen Roberts gave his side a perfect start with a try under the posts in the opening minutes.The Lions kept their cool, with five-eighth Pat Cronin orchestrating a 60m try in the corner for winger Joel Roberts.The six-all scoreline didn't change until Eagles hooker Dean Gray snuck past the defensive line to set up a 33rd-minute try for centre Sean Jenkins. Matt Carroll's conversion made it 12-6 at half-time.Gerringong drew first blood in the second half with Jason White's try out wide. Roberts missed the conversion but knocked over a penalty goal minutes later to tie the score at 12-all.Urged on by fans, the Lions hit the front for the first time with lock Ryan Staples' 61st-minute try. Roberts converted for an 18-16 lead.Eagles winger Adam Miller's try trimmed the margin to 18-16 with 10 minutes to play, but Carroll's difficult conversion attempt into the wind fell short.The lead was six again with White's second try and Gerringong's defence held firm in the closing minutes.Lions coach Mick Cronin was his usual under-stated self after the game."We're happy to be where we are," he said. "Albion Park are a tough team and it was a very tough game. I was very happy with the way we toughed it out in the first quarter of the game. I can't single anybody out. They all played well."It's good to win today because we need a week to rest a few blokes and get everybody freshened up."Judging by their frequent and purposeful charges up the middle of the field, the Lions obviously felt they had their opponents' measure in the forwards. The Eagles clearly missed prop Scott Stonnell (achilles injury) and coach Jason Hooper needs his younger brigade to provide more support for veteran front-rower Derek Gray.Hooper made sure his side heard the Lions singing the club victory song in the opposite dressing shed."We didn't play real smart at times today. I can't fault our effort, but we didn't execute real well and took some wrong options," he said."Gerringong were good. They hung in there well and Pat Cronin was good for them. They're a very well-drilled side and they did a good job coming up our middle of the ruck."It doesn't feel good now, but we'll stay positive and stick together and I'm confident we'll bounce back."Albion Park-Oak Flats beat Warilla 25-16 in reserve grade and Gerringong overcame Kiama 26-18 in the under 18 game.