Following on from Kiama Rugby's dual grand final appearance, the Kiama Knights have followed suit - both their first grade and reserve grade teams have qualified for their respective Group 7 decider after wins on the weekend.

Playing at Shellharbour’s Ron Costello Oval, the Knights faced off against the Shellharbour Sharks in both major grand final qualifiers.

In first grade, Kiama surged to an early 20-point lead within the opening 30 minutes, thanks to three impressive tries involving five-eighth Sam Hooper, and a penalty goal from fullback Brad Killmore.

The first try came in the sixth minute, when Hooper’s kick to the sideline rebounded perfectly into winger Tom Atkins’ arms. 

Six minutes later, Hooper slipped through the Shellharbour defence to score one himself. Then, in the 18th minute, he delivered a pinpoint grubber for Atkins to collect his second.

Shellharbour struck back before the break, with Palu Tausala crashing over from close range in the 33rd minute to cut the margin to 20-6 at halftime.

Sam Hooper was a standout for the Knights on the weekend. Photo: SticksPix_

The Sharks continued their fightback in the second half, with Jayme McElhone scoring in the corner in the 48th minute and Wayde Aitken adding another in the 55th.

But a second penalty goal from Killmore, combined with desperate defence, helped Kiama hold on for a hard-fought 22-16 victory - and a spot in the grand final.

“We got out to a good start and then sort of fell away a little in the middle there, but I’m so proud of how we stuck in there,” said Killmore.

“It’s so easy, when a team is on a roll like Shellharbour were, to let them run away with the game. But I think we did a great job keeping our heads up and staying composed. When that final siren went - it was all worth it.”

Earlier in the day, the Knights’ reserve grade side delivered a dominant 20-8 performance to punch their ticket to the big dance. Killmore said having both grades in the grand final adds extra meaning.

“To have them with us all week at training, and then there on the day - it’s just fantastic. We’re one club, and having them there really lifts us. I’m so happy they’ll be part of it,” he said.

Kiama's reserve grade team also booked their grand final spot with a win over the weekend. Photo: @SticksPix_

As for a preferred grand final opponent, Killmore said the Knights will be ready for whoever they face.

“We’ve beaten both of those teams in the last two weeks, so we know we can do it. We’ll rest up, enjoy the week off, and come back ready to keep doing what we’ve been doing.”

The Knights will meet the Sharks again or the Albion Park-Oak Flats Eagles - who knocked out the defending premiers, the Gerringong Lions, with a convincing 38-16 win on Saturday.

The Lions’ hopes of a three-peat ended at Centenary Field, with the Eagles dominating early, scoring two tries in the opening 10 minutes. Gerringong responded in the 13th through second-rower Noah Parker, and both teams added another try each before halftime to make it 18–10 in favour of Albion Park.

After the break, Eagles halfback Kane Ball took control, scoring a try in the 48th minute and then setting up another with a brilliant grubber for centre Jiye Ellis in the 56th.

Gerringong showed signs of a comeback when Tom Knox crashed over in the 64th minute, but a late try from the Eagles sealed the result.

Kiama will now enjoy a week off, while Albion Park and Shellharbour battle it out for the remaining grand final spot on September 28.