Gorillas bash and barge their way to victory

WARILLA Gorillas rekindled their South Coast league semi-final hopes with a 29-22 win over Berry-Shoalhaven Heads Magpies at Cec Glenholmes Oval on Sunday.

The Gorillas took advantage of their heavyweight pack to lead 18-4 at the break and 22-4 shortly afterwards, but the Magpies refused to lay down.

Warilla were on the board first through centre Dean Alaban before Andrew Gent crashed over out wide to give the home side a 10-nil lead.

Berry responded with a try to Jason-Wren Patterson but a penalty goal to Chris Henry and Alaban's second try allowed the home side to go to halftime with a commanding 14-point lead.

Warilla extended their lead four minutes after the resumption through a try to Dale Chapman after good lead-up work from Henry and Alaban.

Berry countered through a converted try to Paul Skewes.

However, Warilla reasserted their dominance with a Henry penalty goal and a try to Ben Harvey.

The Magpies had a glimmer of hope when replacement Matt Gallagher scored before Henry potted the season's first field goal to extend his side's lead to 29-16.

Warilla then lost concentration and Magpies second rower Kurt Simpson scooped up a dropped pass for the final try of the game.

Mark Walsh, Ben Harvey, Damien Paulissen and Dean Alaban were outstanding for the winners, while Skewes, McCormack and Mick Walker were best for the Magpies.

Meanwhile, Albion Park-Oak Flats turned in a clinical performance to defeat Milton-Ulladulla 36-18 in a 2006 grand final replay at Mollymook Oval.

The Eagles built a 22-6 halftime lead, all three of their tries coming off Bulldogs' errors.

Simon Pimanovs scored a hat-trick and his centre partner Sean Jenkins a double as the defending premiers put the wayward Bulldogs to the sword.

Pimanovs, workaholic lock Jade Lucas and Walsh were named as the Eagles' best, while Sherwin, Adam Stone and Mark Laws never stopped trying for the out-gunned Milton side.

At Nowra Showground, Nowra Warriors and Gerringong played out a thrilling 26-all draw. The Warriors were down 20-6 at halftime but bounced back to lead 26-22 with four minutes remaining.

Best for Nowra were Elliott Stewart, Richie Luland and Matt Sturgiss, while Justin O'Hare, Lloyd Bowen. Michael Brown and Pat Cronin were great for Gerringong.

On Saturday, Shellharbour were left ruing what might have been after a last-minute try to James Manton handed Batemans Bay a 34-32 win Mackay Park.

Shellharbour led by four before the late try.

Josh Elliott, Steve Elliott, and Kane Nathan were the Bay's best, while Breakspear, Phil Lopez and McGrath were great for Shellharbour.