The Waratahs are going great guns in third garde in the Illawarra Rugby competition this season. But if there was an award for displaying guts and determination, I'm quite sure Wollondilly Knights Australian Football Club would be in the running to win it.

The odds have been stacked against the battling Knights this season as they made the move from reserve grade to first grade in the South Coast Australian Football League.

This team have played with three or four players short sometimes in their bid to reach the finals.

On Saturday, the Knights showed their grit once more, winning 10.4. (64) to 6.13. (49) against Nowra to be outright fourth on the ladder and in contention for a finals berth.

Knights president and player Russell Andrews said his team played most of the game without captain Daniel Hockey, who was concussed during the first quarter.

``We shone through with great team spirit to win a close contest against the Nowra Blues,'' Andrews said. ``It was a closely battled contest and at half-time we trailed by 13 points.

``But we pulled ourselves together and clawed our way back into the game to lead by one point at the last break.''

It will be a big day for the Knights on Sunday as they take on third-placed Kiama at 2.10pm at their home ground Bargo Sportsground.

They will also be conducting their sponsors day and are hoping for a big crowd.

Wollondilly White Waratahs scored in the game's dying minutes to post a 10-0 win against Avondale at Dapto on Saturday.

Captain-coach Rick Flaxman set up the Waratahs' winning try for his brother Ian.

Players' player for the day was Tim Hamilton.

The Waratahs remain top of the third grade ladder and will host Tech Waratahs at Hannaford Oval, Wilton, on Saturday at 2pm.

In a crucial away game in the Illawarra Football Association Premier League against Tarrawanna, Picton Rangers went down 3-1.

An early goal by Andrew Borg was cancelled out.

Both teams fought hard in a tight match but Tarrawanna took their chances to grab the three points.

Reserve grade also started well with two goals from Joe Ngauora and one from Trevor Dinham but Tarrawanna worked hard to run out 5-3 winners.