The Woonona Shamrocks produced their hottest performance of the year in blizzard-like conditions to wallop titleholders Camden 29-8 on Saturday at Ocean Park.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Just when the Rocks appeared to be slipping out of the premiership race, they bounced back with a vengeance, delivering a payback on the Rams after copping an embarrassing 38-0 drubbing when they last met at Camden.
Shammies remain in sixth spot but are only three points behind the fourth-placed Rams. Saturday's victory should do wonders for their confidence.
"We know we have to win nearly every game to make the top four," coach Marc Joy said.
"The young blokes are getting a lot of experience. They know how to win the games now, especially after losing 38-0 to them in the first round.
"We dropped those two games against Tech and Vikings which we thought we should've won, and that really hurt us.
"Avondale and Uni look pretty good to finish top two but there's two spots to go and we want one of them.
"We can probably only afford to drop one or maybe two before the semis but they understand that.
"It's game on from now on."
Camden had come off the previous week's thrashing of Tech Waratahs but never got out of second gear against Shamrocks.
The visitors' cause wasn't helped by the dismissal of centre Lee Russell for a spear tackle midway through the first half.
The Rocks already held a 19-3 lead when Russell was banished.
"We jumped away to a good start and probably played the best we've played all year," Joy said.
"All in all, they all gelled and played to the game plan, and away we went.
"We've had a few injuries with the young blokes, but we're more or less back to full strength now and it was a big help. They want to get out there and play rugby."
The Rocks posted five tries for a bonus point.
Both teams had to adjust their usual tactics because of the powerful wind that swept the ground, particularly in the second half.
''It's terrible because you can't kick a ball and you can't pass it into the wind,'' Joy said.
''We had an extra back and we couldn't really use it because it more or less becomes a 10-man game.''
Avondale scored a 59-19 win over Tech Waratahs, Vikings caned Shoalhaven 36-12 while Kiama posted a 28-0 shutout of Bowral.
