After driving to Forster and lining up with Greater Southern Region in a rep game against Central Coast on Saturday afternoon, Roberts and Ford took a chartered flight from Taree to Albion Park to play with their Lions teammates in a night match against traditional rivals Kiama.

Roberts played a starring role with two tries and four goals in Gerringong’s 28-10 comeback victory, while Ford scored a try in his impressive 25-minute stint off the bench.

The flight was arranged through club contacts after Roberts and Ford insisted on backing up.

‘‘They wanted to play and they were always in the program,’’ Lions coach Mick Cronin said of the pair’s hasty return home.

‘‘We thought if we can do something for them we will.’’

The Knights started aggressively, frustrating the visitors and carving out a 10-0 lead.

Gerringong responded to the challenge, sharpening their defensive focus and cutting the margin to 10-6 at half-time.

The Lions took control in the second half, racking up 22 unanswered points to secure their fifth win from as many games.

‘‘Kiama have only had 30 points scored against them in four games so it was a pretty pleasing win,’’ Cronin said.

‘‘The difference was that in the second part of the first half and the first part of the second half, our blokes’ defence was really strong. They really lifted their defence and off the back of that our attack improved.’’

Albion Park-Oak Flats moved back into the top five with a 22-20 defeat of Milton-Ulladulla.