MARC Laird chalked up his first win as a Group Seven Rugby League first grade coach on Sunday after his Kiama Knights defeated the Milton-Ulladulla Bulldogs 32-14.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
It was the visitors who opened the scoring at the Kiama Showground in the fourth minute through centre Dylan Carriage.
Defending their own line, Carriage plucked off a cut-out ball from Tom Atkins and sprinted 90 metres to score.
It took 12 minutes but the Knights finally hit back when skipper Kieran Poole sliced through and slammed it down with one hand - to make it 4-all.
The hosts had their first lead in the 21st minute when hooker Daniel Martin caught the markers napping and scooted 30 metres to score.
Brad Killmore converted and it was 10-4.
The visitors kept coming though and after forcing Jordan Morn into an error, they went on the counter-attack through Carriage, who broke through the line and beat Poole in a foot race to the corner.
But just before the break, the Knights extended their margin.
Firstly Dylan Morris regained possession for his side by pulling off a one-on-one strip on Lachlan Self.
The very next play, the ball was shifted to the right which led to his older brother Matt cutting back in to score - with Killmore converting for 16-8 at half-time.
This momentum carried into the second half when Matt Gladman crossed, following a handy pass from Martin, to score under the sticks.
Killmore's kick extended their lead to 14.
Soon after, the red and blacks had their fifth of the afternoon when back-rower William Webb barged over, after steaming onto a pass from fullback Dylan Morris.
Killmore's conversion made it 28-8 with 30 minutes to play.
The Knights final four-pointer came in the 62nd minute when Dylan Morris, Morn and Atkins put winger Jay Delaney over the score.
The young Dogs got a consolation try in the 71st-minute centre Carriage found space down the right edge before offloading to winger Zane Gallagher.
Cody Roach, who missed round one through injury, had a forgettable day with the boot, missing all three conversions attempts - as the finals score ended 32-14.
The Knights, who had both Brody Foster and Ty Cloos make their first grade debuts on Sunday, next play the Gorillas on Sunday, May 2 at the Kiama Showground, while the Dogs have the bye in round three.
Sign up for the Voice of Regional Australia
Courtney Ward
Sports Journalist for South Coast Register and Milton-Ulladulla Times, who loves all things sport and travel. All views are my own.
Sports Journalist for South Coast Register and Milton-Ulladulla Times, who loves all things sport and travel. All views are my own.
