The Lions leapt out to a 20-4 lead at half-time but stand-in coach Matt Cross said the Tigers were confident they could come back in the second half.

“We missed a couple of opportunities and I thought we had them on the back foot,” Cross said.

“The boys were positive at half-time and were executing the game plan.”

The Tigers couldn’t produce a thrilling comeback like earlier in the season against the Warilla-Lake South Gorillias, but Cross was proud of the team.

“They played to the game plan which is good because kids that age sometimes drift away from it,” he said.

Cross said technical errors and field position “hurt the boys”.

“I thought it could have been closer,” he said.

“Gerringong scored a number of long range tries and the boys can hold their heads up that way.

“They were happy to put points the board after an early season loss to them.”

Cross praised Lachlan Knox, who had an “outstanding game”.

“His athletic ability, controlled aggression, and the way he runs and tackles is promising for Batemans Bay,” Cross said.

Cross said Luke Wilson and Baden Payne had good games for the Tigers.

“Luke stepped up this week and Baden was everywhere,” he said.

“All-in-all they played together as a team and remained confident with each other.”

Coach Danny Whitter returns this week and the Tigers have a bye before playing the Shellharbour Stingrays at Mackay Park on August 3.