RUGBY LEAGUE - GROUP SEVEN
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Moments after his side wrapped up Sunday's 58-16 shellacking of Berry, Warilla coach Peter Hooper had already shifted his attention to the Gorillas' upcoming home game against Nowra-Bomaderry.
The Gorillas haven't forgotten how they felt when humiliated 66-4 by the reigning premiers in a round seven nightmare at Nowra Showground.
After effectively clinching a finals berth with their romp against Berry, Warilla are seeking redemption against the Jets.
"We got embarrassed last time against them," Hooper said. "We knew a month ago that it was coming up and we've kept improving every week, so we'll look to have a good, hard preparation this week and we're looking forward to seeing them."
Locked at 6-6 with the Magpies after 15 minutes, the Gorillas clinically carved out a 34-6 half-time lead.
The home side racked up 11 tries, with captain Aaron Henry notching a hat-trick and Nathan Gallestegui and James Collins finishing with two apiece.
"It was a really pleasing performance," Hooper said.
"There was a couple of errors at the end of the second half if you really want to be picky and I probably nit-picked at half-time about turning and chasing, but the boys are challenging themselves week in, week out and we're steadily building.
Grand finalists the past two years, the Gorillas seem destined to finish fifth.
"That result pushed us away from Berry a little bit more and Jamberoo's four points behind us and a have a lot of differential to make up," Hooper said.
"Having said that, the boys aren't taking anything for granted. We've got three weeks to go and we're under no illusions about where we're at.
"We're just going to keep trying to ramp it up and look to next week's game."
Milton-Ulladulla moved into a tie for seventh spot with a 38-16 home win over Albion Park-Oak Flats. Adam Stone scored two of the Bulldogs' seven tries.
Ladder: Shellharbour 29, Gerringong 25, Kiama, Nowra 18, Warilla 16, Jamberoo 12, Milton, Berry 10, Albion Park 8, Port Kembla 4
Any doubts over Kiama’s premiership credentials have surely been buried after they upstaged Gerringong 26-14 at Michael Cronin Oval on Saturday.
Centre James Brown scored two tries and fullback Tom Atkins kicked five goals, as the Knights grabbed a share of third spot.
‘‘We were really switched on and put in a performance for the 80 minutes like we planned to do,’’ Kiama forward Marc Laird said.
The result proved the title race isn’t just between two or three teams.
‘‘We know what we’re capable of and we showed that today,’’ Laird said.
‘‘We’re out there doing our best every week and it’s good to get an important result like that against a team like Gerringong. It’ll only strengthen our confidence and belief.’’
Gerringong remain in second spot but they have almost certainly lost the battle for the minor premiership to Shellharbour.
The Sharks remained unbeaten in emphatic fashion with Saturday’s 50-22 road win over reigning champions Nowra-Bomaderry.
Jai Field scored a hat-trick of tries for Shellharbour and Kurt Field finished with two tries.
Steve Brandon crossed twice for the Jets, who have lost two in a row after six straight wins.
Jamberoo tasted victory for the first time in almost two months with a 46-18 defeat of Port Kembla at Noel Mulligan Oval.