Avondale will turn their focus towards next week's top-of-the-table clash with Campbelltown after prevailing over Vikings on Saturday.
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Two late tries saw the Wombats secure a 22-0 bonus-point victory in a physical affair.
With both sides willing to keep the ball tight, it was Avondale who capitalised on a number of Vikings errors to grind their way to a result.
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The defending premiers will head to Campbelltown next weekend for a season-defining clash, the match effectively a grand final in this year's abbreviated competition.
With two games remaining, the Harlequins sit six points behind the Wombats after defeating Kiama 21-5 on Saturday.
Crucially, Campbelltown failed to secure a bonus point, which means they must defeat Avondale next week and hope they lose to Camden the following game to overtake their rivals on the ladder.
With such an important game looming, Avondale coach Joe Aiono was thrilled to secure the five points this week.
"Every time we play Vikings, the boys turn up for the game," Aiono said. "To do it at home and keeping them scoreless is an even better result.
"Campbelltown is going to be a tough match. They've only had one loss so it's going to be a big game for the boys. It's going to be our grand final."
Saturday's match was a tight, grinding affair, with neither team adopting an expansive mindset.
Vikings had the better of possession and territory, however they repeatedly turned the ball over and were unable to build any sustained pressure.
The visitors also endured a torrid afternoon at the set-piece, their scrum and line out dominated by the Wombats larger forward pack.
The lack of clean ball left Vikings unable to play off the front foot and allowed Avondale's forwards to build pressure in defence.
While the Wombats made a number of errors of their own, they capitalised on their chances to take a 7-0 lead into the break before extending the advantage to 12 early in the second half.
"Our defence is something we've really worked on," Aiono said. "It's something that we'll take out of this short season and I was proud of the effort today.
"In attack we're building phases, but it's what we do after that that matters. It's one part of our game that we need to improve and work on."
The game was hanging in the balance midway through the second half, with Vikings trailing 12-0 but looking set to run over the top of their opponents.
However, as had happened so many times on Saturday afternoon, the visitors turned the ball over to let Avondale off the hook.
The Wombats crossed twice late to close out the game.
Vikings coach Phil Green was dejected after the match, conceding it was one his side let slip.
"That was just a massive wasted opportunity," Green said.
"We just let them off the hook by not responding, it's just so frustrating.
"It's one that got away. We just didn't own our responsibilities today, that's a big life lesson, not just footy lesson. It's very, very frustrating."
The loss saw Vikings slip to fourth on the ladder after Shoalhaven produced a stunning performance on Saturday afternoon.
The Shoalies ran in nine tries to five in a thumping 65-33 victory over Shamrocks to leapfrog Vikings in the standings.
Paul Connor's side currently sits on 20 points, with Vikings four back. Shamrocks are fifth on 15 points.
In Saturday's final match, Tech secured their second win of the season, prevailing 40-31 over Camden.
Illawarra Rugby Round Seven
AVONDALE 22 defeated VIKINGS 0
CAMPBELLTOWN 21 defeated KIAMA 5
SHOALHAVEN defeated SHAMROCKS 33
TECH 40 defeated CAMDEN 31