Lions’ final roar

GERRINGONG Lions kept their finals hopes alive with a 32-18 win over runaway competition leaders Albion Park-Oak Flats at Michael Cronin Oval on Saturday.

The Lions snapped a four-game losing streak and out-enthused the Eagles at both ends of the field to move into interim fifth place with Milton-Ulladulla and Berry-Shoalhaven Heads.

Saturdays loss dashed any hope the Eagles, who are assured the minor premiership, had of an undefeated 2006 season. Three quick tries either side of the break broke

the game open for Gerringong. The first came on the stroke of halftime when centre Dave Cummins crossed to see the hosts take an 18-12 lead to the break.

Gerringong took advantage of an Eagles turnover early in the second stanza when boom pivot Pat Cronin dummied and strolled past the Albion Park defence to score out wide. That try gave the Lions a 22-12 lead, before Cronin had a hand in their next try, releasing fullback Mark Robinson to score next to the posts. Daniel Gleesons conversion gave the Lions an unassailable 28-12 lead.

Poor Albion Park discipline and handling errors hampered their second half effort, with the Eagles continually dropping the ball when in sight of the Lions line, while two penalties for indiscretions in the ruck handed the Lions two easy penalty goals.

Sean Jenkins scored a late consolation try for the Eagles, who finished the match with star halves Ian Jones and Wade Walsh on the bench.

The first half had all the makings of a semi-finals clash with strong defence from both sides. Albion Park broke the deadlock when Jenkins released Walsh after an overlap on Gerringongs left side, before Walsh retunred the ball to Jenkins to touch down next to the posts to make the score 6-nil.

Gerringong returned serve when Matt Hingle offloaded to a flying Robinson before Gleeson converted to lock the scores at 6-all.

Back-to-back penalties saw the Lions in the attacking zone again, before Gleesons looping pass found Cummins, who scored in the corner. Gleeson converted to give the Lions a 12-6 lead.

Albion Park hit back through Steve Butfield, who crashed over after clever lead up work from Walsh.

Matt Vaux, Robinson, Cummins and Cronin all starred for the Lions, while Walsh (until injured), Butfield and Derek Gray all tried hard for the disappointing Eagles.