The Group 6 Rugby League heavyweights have made their mark on Round 12 of the First Grade competition over the weekend, but it hasn't been easy going.
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Saturday night saw Mittagong defeat Campbelltown City 30-19 at Campbelltown Stadium, but the Lions were made to earn the win, following a tough battle with the Kangaroos.
The Roos started well, with the opening try to captain/coach Michael Stevens, but it was a rare highlight for the home side, who struggled to adjust on their spiritual home ground.
Mittagong replied with tries to Jye Frazer and Jake Ngaia, giving them a 10-6 lead, before the Roos struck back with a double in the space of 8 minutes to hard working backrower Chris Williamson.
A field goal on halftime to Jhy Karam saw the Roos head to the rooms with a 19-10 lead. However, there were little highlights for them after the break, as they failed to trouble the scorers.
Mittagong dominated the second half, with tries to Josh Harrison and a second half double to captain Regan Economos as the Lions took control of the game, winning 30-19.
The Lions shared the workload, with PJ Thornton laying a good platform in the first half, before suffering an injury. Their backrow of Rory MacDonald, Jye Frazer and Adam Jeffery all worked hard, as did halves Ryan Borg and Jesse Bond, who steered the ship well.
On Sunday afternoon, perfect winter conditions greeted all at Crane Oval, as Narellan hosted Picton in a vital game for both sides.
Picton took control of the game early in both halves, with five eighth Daniel Payne scoring an early double in the first term, before adding a third in the second half as he dominated the match setting up Picton's attack nicely.
Veteran captain Michael Lett scored twice after the break, as Narellan simply struggled to match the Magpies in intensity with the visitors controlling play in both halves and not allowing the Jets into the match.
Narellan had few highlights throughout the match, despite playing well for large portions of the match, with tries to Lenny Sauni and Ate Katoa the rare highglights in the game.
Nathan Davis caused havoc in the centres, after receiving excellent delivery from Payne and halfback Tim Dengate, who seemed to have the ball at his will throughout the afternoon.
The Picton forwards also dominated their Narellan opponents, with new signing Taulima Tautai making metres at will, and often drawing several defenders in the process, allowing the Magpies backrow to offload, creating problems for the Narellan defence.
The Picton coaching staff of Michael Lett and Gary Dowse would be pleased with the win, but moreso with the style of win, with their attack allowing for their defence to dominate the match.
The other Round 12 match saw Camden defeat The Oaks 38-10, maintaining their unbeaten record in 2019, and keep their position atop the Group 6 ladder, while The Oaks slid to fourth after the loss.
