The Kiama Rugby Football Club couldn’t have asked for a better start to the 2024 season. In the season opener on April 13, against the backdrop of a sunny blue sky, a huge crowd had gathered at the Kiama Showground to see both grades win against the Tech Waratahs.

The first grade beat the Tahs 45-13. Try scorers were: Mick Taylor, Nico Cowley (2), Manu Ahokovi, James Asquith, Smiki Lufe and Jack Hobbs.

The second grade won 29-12. Try scorers were: Rory Lawrence, Sione Lufe, Daniel Grehan, Tonga Tonga, and Manu Ahokovi.

“Both grades gave a great performance,” says players rep for the Kiama Rugby Football Club, Jack Smith. “We’re looking to go that extra stage with first grade and make the grand final.”

“We saw improvement with the second grade. They’re off to a great start. Missed the final last year with two, three games,” he says. 

Kiama player, Scott Duncan, donned his black and white gear for his 300th game. He’s the seventh player in club history to pass the milestone.

“Scott is a massive part of Kiama, on and off the field. You can chuck him in anywhere on the field, in any position. He’s a top-level player,” says Smith.

He adds the crowd was the best that he’d seen in a long time for a home game, with approximately 300-400 people in attendance.

The under 16s girls game unfortunately got cancelled due to the other team being stuck in traffic.

But game day wasn’t quite over yet. 

The Kiama Blowhards celebrated their 35th in the evening, with 130 turning out for the reunion. Club members and former Wallabies Gary Grey, Alex Pope and Brian Weir also attended.

“It was awesome. All the guys came. Two, three guys came down from Queensland and some over the mountains,” says James Regan.