Eagles spoil the party

THE CEREMONY went off without a hitch, pity about the presents " Warilla Gorillas President Mark Roberts and his wife, Gorillas secretary Sue Roberts, renewed their wedding vows at halftime of the club's blockbuster South Coast league clash with Albion Park " but the hosts could not come away with a win.

The tiring Gorillas went down 36-20 to the defending premiers in front of more than 500 people at Cec Glenholmes Oval on Sunday.

Despite a spirited Gorillas' opening to the clash, the main action happened at halftime when the Gorillas' power couple renewed their wedding vows.

Flanked by a guard of honour from the Gorillas' under 16s and the irrepressible Warilla Gorilla, Mark and Sue renewed their vows.

Joining them were their children Terence, 23, Adele, 17 and Riley, 15.

The bride wore a gleaming Gorillas' senior jersey and was given away by the Warilla Gorilla.

"It was great stuff, just awesome," said Mark.

"I'm very happy, Mark's such a romantic," Sue said.

Janice Jenkins JP presided over the ceremony and said she had never worked in such an environment.

"This was a first for me in 17 years " it was fun," she said.

"This is the biggest gathering I have ever worked in front of."

In other games, 2006 grand finalists Shellharbour City opened their 2007 account with a workmanlike 22-6 win over Berry-Shoalhaven Heads at Ron Costello Oval on Sunday.

Cain Rich scored the only try of a dour first stanza before Jason Lennard converted.

The Sharks' efforts to add to the margin before the break were hampered by sloppy handling, while Berry failed to take advantage of the Sharks' errors.

They levelled the scores six minutes into the second half when hooker Paul Skewes scored and John McCormack converted.

Shellharbour capitalised on better handling in the second half and were rewarded through a try to Simon Rushby, which put them ahead for good.

Half Adam Taylor (69th minute) and Luke Gilmore (76th) added additional four-pointers for the Sharks.

At Michael Cronin Oval, a gritty Gerringong Lions side inflicted an expensive loss on Milton-Ulladulla in round two of Carlton Draught South Coast Rugby League on Saturday.

At Mackay Park, Batemans Bay Tigers opened their account after accounting for Kiama Knights 26-12.