THE Gerringong Lions have made it back to back Group Seven wins, thanks to a 30-18 victory over the Berry-Shoalhaven Magpies at Berry Showground on Saturday.
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In a back and forth affair, the Lions were made to work hard for the victory after Berry jumped to an early first half lead.
The Lions fought their way back into the game midway through the second half before two late tries saw them triumph.
There were positive signs early for the home side when they made the moist of a chance presented by some Gerringong ill-discipline.
After five-eighth Josh Ingold was bought down just short of the line, centre Josh Coulter burrowed his way over out wide for a 4-nil lead after 13 minutes.
Following Coulter’s try, possession swung to the Lions, however despite their best efforts and sustained period of attack the visitors couldn’t crack the Magpies’ line.
Berry on the other hand continued to make the most of their chances and they soon had their second try, with Coulter heavily involved again.
Some second phase play freed the Berry centre down the left sideline before he kicked back infield.
Berry fullback Blygh Herron swooped on the ball and raced away to cross in the corner, with Coulter’s conversion giving the Magpies a 10-nil lead after 25 minutes.
The Lions weren’t to be denied for much longer though and three minutes later they finally opened their account.
Some quick hands down their left edge got the ball to Toby Gumley-Quine and the Lions’ centre strolled over in the corner.
Prop Jake Taylor knocked over the tough conversion and the Berry lead was trimmed to 10-6.
It appeared that score line would stand until the half-time siren, but a late penalty goal from Coulter gave the Magpies at 12-6 lead at the break.
The start of the second half was the polar opposite to that of the first as Gerringong produced an early try to get back to level pegging.
This time it was the Lions veteran combination of Brad Davidson and Michael Brown who combined to produce the Lions’ second try.
A deft pass from Davidson found a hard running Brown and the back-rower crossed in the 43rd minute.
Taylor knocked over his second conversion to make it 12-all.
It soon looked like Berry had regained the lead when Joe Rogers stormed over on the right fringe, but the Berry utility was called back for a forward pass.
The Lions soon made the most of that reprieve and with a little over 2o minutes remaining they grabbed the lead for the first time.
A break by Gumley-Quine had the visitors on the attack and some expansive play following that sent Danny Wedd over out wide for a well-deserved try.
Taylor knocked over another conversion and Gerringong were up 18-12.
The Magpies were then dealt a blow when Ingold was taken from the field with a shoulder injury, however they kept up the fight.
Rogers again looked like he was the man to bring the Magpies back into it, but this time he was ruled to have lost the ball in attempting to ground it.
Interchange prop Jack Windley had no such problem soon after and barrelled over with 13 minutes remaining.
Coulter added his third goal and the score was back to level at 18-all.
The final 10 minutes saw both sides leave nothing in the tank as the two traditional rivals looked to land the knockout blow.
On this occasion it was the Lions who clicked and grabbed the lead through Davidson.
A bust by Wedd put the Lions on the attack and some enterprising second-phase play got the ball to the Lions’ playmaker and he crossed under the posts.
Taylor added his fourth goal for a 24-18 Gerringong lead with four minutes remaining.
The Lions then capped the win in the final minute when Rixon Russell raced away to score.
Taylor made it a perfect day with the boot to round out the score at 30-18.
Wedd, Davidson and Kal Collins all had strong games for the Lions, while Coulter, Luke Ryder and Ingold did all they could for the Magpies.
