KIAMA Knights have had a dream start to their centenary season after producing one of their best defensive efforts to down Jamberoo Superoos 24-16 at Kevin Walsh Oval on Saturday.
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The Knights jumped to an early lead and despite a mini-comeback by the home side, they grabbed a two-point lead at half-time and keep their opposition scoreless during the second stanza.
The Knights took advantage of their first set in attack, fullback Tom Atkins scoring out wide.
Front-rower Jacob Morrison backed up great work from Marc Laird and Kieran Poole to sprint over and give his side a 8-0 advantage inside the first 10 minutes.
Jamberoo eventually opened their account when second-rower Robbie Noble crashed over and just minutes later five-eighth Mark Asquith cleverly weaved his way over near the posts. Simon Maslanka's conversion put the Superoos in front 10-8.
Atkins notched his second and Jack Alexander landed the conversion before Asquith powered his way over again. Maslanka converted for the home side to lead 16-14.
With time almost up in the opening 40 minutes, Cameron Whittaker somehow managed to off-load, sending Jacob Dolan racing away to give the Knights an 18-16 buffer at the oranges.
Considering there were seven tries in the first half, it was a surprise that there was only one in the second and that came 15 minutes from the end when Dolan finished scored in the corner. Alexander's conversion gave the Knights a vital eight-point lead. The Superoos set up camp on the Kiama line for most of the last 10 minutes, but couldn't crack the strong Knights defence.
The Superoos suffered a massive blow in the final stages when hooker James Asquith suffered a broken left arm. He joined Luke Gilmore, who pulled a hamstring during the first stanza, on the sideline.
In other weekend matches Warilla-Lake South Gorillas downed the returning Shellharbour City Sharks in a high-quality match at Cec Glenholmes Oval, while Albion Park-Oak Flats held off a strong second-half comeback to beat Port Kembla 38-26. Matches between Gerringong and Berry, and Milton-Ulladulla and Nowra-Bomaderry were postponed.