The Illawarra Cutters defeated the Mount Pritchard Mounties 42-14 at Ron Costello Oval, Shellharbour on Saturday.
The victory saw the Cutters re-enter the winners circle after their disappointing loss last week which was important with the hosts on equal competition points with their opposition leading into the encounter.
It did not take long for the Cutters to open the scoring with second-rower Chris Lewis diving over the line early on in the contest to get his side an early lead.
The Cutters left edge proved increasingly problematic for the Mounties and the visitors were punished again when Nathan Smith dove over to score in the 10th minute.
Cutters lock Kyle Stanley side line conversion was successful to make it 10-0.
The home side made sure not to neglect their right edge though with winger Geoff Daniela scoring his 11th try of the season in the corner.
His efforts made him the outright Cutters outright leading try-scorer for the season.
Cutters centre Junior Tia Kalifi continued the run of points for the hosts and grabbed a try as a product of strong running down the right-hand side.
Cutters five-eighth Sam Duggan converted to make it 20-0.
With the Cutters holding an early 20-0 lead the Mounties managed to hit back before the interval getting two unconverted tries including one to former Cutters player Ryan Carr.
The second halftime started in similar fashion to the first with the Cutters getting an early try to Shane Pumipi who used some smart play out of dummy-half to make it 24-8.
Duggan converted to make it 26-8.
Soon thereafter, Smith bagged his second of the game as the Cutters pushed their lead out to 32-8 early in the second half.
Duggan converted against to make it 32-8.
Mounties managed to stem the bleeding with a try to Moses Pangai after the hour mark.
Bond converted to make it 32-14.
However, the Mounties fight back was short lived as Smith got himself a hat trick with his third try down the right hand side.
Duggan converted to make it 38-14.
Daniela got his second try and extended his try tally to 12 for the year to wrap up a strong win for the Cutters.
Illawarra Cutters 42. Tries: Smith (3), Daniela (2), Lewis, Tia Kilifi, Pumipi. Goals: Duggan (4/6), Stanley (1/2).
Mt Pritchard Mounties 14. Tries: Dargan, Pangai, Carr. Goals: Bond (1/3).
