The Lions were in full command of the clash through 40 minutes, leading 18-0 a the break, before a three-try blitz from the visitors in the opening 20 minutes of the second stanza locked the game up with a quarter to play.

In the end, long-range tries to Toby Gumley-Quine and Joel Doosey sealed the deal in a round interrupted by COVID lockdown. It was the hosts fifth win on the trot and leaves them 7-1 on the season, though skipper Nathan Ford joked coach Scott Stewart "might have to work on his halftime speeches."

"Getting off to a good start at home is always important," Ford said.

"We kind of went into our shell in that second 20 [of the first half] and they came back. We probably didn't get the message at halftime and came out a little bit slow.

"We got a bit complacent, tried to throw a few too many offloads and went a bit sideways and away from playing direct and down short-sides. We didn't control the ball, we completed one of six sets at one point, that probably let them back into the game.

"It was good to see the boys get some [late] tries when it got close towards the end. I thought we were coming home a bit stronger towards the back end."

Gorillas coach Neil Fermilo said his side left itself too much to do in missing the jump.

"We knew we had to start fast against these guys and we didn't," Fermilo said.

"Our line-speed and intensity in defence wasn't there for the first 15 minutes. We didn't warm up the best and I don't think our mind was really there.

"Obviously if you get down 18-0 to Gerringing you're in a bit of trouble. I was really proud of the way the boys came back but, again, a few little errors crept in and it cost us."

Kiama had a commanding 52-18 win over Milton-Ulladulla in Saturday's other fixture, with all other games postponed once lockdown was announced.

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