THE Warilla-Lake South Gorillas claimed their first Group Seven under 18s since 2001 by defeating Albion Park-Pak Flats Eagles 25-6 at the Collegians Sporting Complex on Sunday.
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In the 18th minute, Park's Jack Walsh was sent to the bin for taking out Warilla's Sam Hooper without the ball, following a smart chip and chase by the half.
On the next set, the Gorillas co-captain Duke Grant dived over from dummy-half to open the match's scoring.
Sam Hooper landed the easy conversion and Warilla led 6-nil after 20 minutes.
Off the ensuing kick-off, the Gorillas let the ball bounce - handing the Eagles strong field position.
Despite being a man down, the Eagles made the most of the opportunity and hit-back, when half Jay Henry ran off the hip of Josh Coric.
Harley Nizza made no mistake with the kick and levelled the scores up (6-all) after 22 minutes.
The Gorillas regained the lead with five to play in the first half when Hooper landed a penalty goal from 15 metres out - making it 8-6, which was the half-time score.
Twelve minutes into the second half, the Gorillas stretched their lead - a break down the western sideline by Liam Vane Tempest created space for Tyrone Roberts to run around and score.
Hooper landed his third kick of the afternoon and it was 14-6 with 21 to play.
The Park let a golden chance slip to close the margin when Cooper Tunbridge knocked the ball on over the line.
The very next set, Warilla compounded the error by scoring their third, as Vane Tempest won the race to a crossfield grubber kick.
Roberts took over kicking duties from Hooper but couldn't convert the try, as Warilla led 18-6 with 15 to play.
With 14 minutes to play, Park's Harley Nizza was helped from the field following a collision with Hooper - an incident which resulted in a Gorillas penalty but Hooper couldn't extend the lead with a kick attempt.
It mattered little, as moments later, Roberts barged his way across the line to score his second of the afternoon.
Hooper landed another conversion and it was 24-6.
Roberts iced the game with a field goal for the Gorillas, extending their advantage to 19 points, with five minutes on the clock.
In the win, the Gorillas were best served by man of the match Roberts, Zane Boersma, Curtis Stone, Grant and Hooper, while Kane Ball, Walsh, Coric, Nizza and Henry never stopped trying for the Eagles.