Shoalhaven 36

KIAMA Knights have continued their charge towards Group Rugby League 7 semi-finals with a 43-36 win over the Shoalhaven Jets at the Nowra Showground yesterday.

The win was a vital one for the Knights who were tailing the top six heading into the match.

Jets looked strong in the first half exploiting a weakness in the Knights’ left flank.

In the opening four minutes the Jets had gone ahead 8-nil with two unconverted tries to Leon Rotumah and Desman Mok Siomiel.

Kiama hit back with their first touch of the ball.

Pressuring the Jets line, Knights’ fullback Ricky Greatz dove over from dummy half to plant the ball with an outstretched arm.

Joel Moses converted and the Knights trailed by four.

The Jets continued to dominate play and apply pressure to the Knights’ line.

In the 23 minute Jets’ centre Leigh Ardler burst down the right side, but was wrapped up 20-metres out.

Following the Ardler break, Jets’ captain-coach Geoff Johnson combined with Rotumah to score their third try in the right corner.

With another unsuccessful conversion the score went to 14-6 and it wasn’t long before they were in again.

Andrew Preston made a strong charge from the kick off before passing to Rotumah who crossed outwide for his second try.

Ardler was having a terrible day with the boot and failed to convert.

The turnaround for Kiama came eight minutes from the break.

They scored three back-to-back tries and successfully converted two, which gave them the lead 22-18 at halftime.

Kiama continued their form into the second half.

At the fifth minute a scrum was packed and the Knights had the feed.

Moses, at first receiver, played smart football, kicking the ball to an open space in the right corner.

Quick legs from Scott Morris and Kiama regathered possession to extend their lead to 26-18.