Right: Berwick Miners wide receiver Jamie Stafford and his team-mates struggled to shake the Western Crusaders’ defence on Saturday on their way to a 34-12 defeat.By Marc McGowan
FOR a half, the Berwick Miners matched everything the all-conquering Western Crusaders threw at them, but ultimately ran out 34-12 losers at Sydney Pargeter Reserve on Saturday.
Neither side was able to shake the other’s pesky defence in the opening half and the gridiron contest went to the main break with Western holding a slender 7-6 advantage.
Experienced Crusaders running back Nol Arabit was the half’s best offensive performer, with good yardage on the ground and the game’s opening touchdown to boot.
The Miners’ touchdown came when Jerome Bickle’s magnificent 55-yard interception return put Berwick in scoring position before quarterback Sam Walker scrambled into the end zone.
It was an absorbing half of Gridiron Victoria action, but the Miners could not maintain the challenge.
Walker, who suffered through a dirty day, threw two picks in the third quarter that resulted in Western touchdowns as Berwick’s resistance evaporated.
The Miners managed a second score in the final term when Walker firstly combined with wide receiver Jamie Stafford before launching a 30-yard touchdown pass to Cameron Neale.
Unfortunately, it was the only time all game that Berwick could produce any offensive momentum, and it came much too late.
On top of Bickle, who picked off two passes for the afternoon, other Miners to stand out were Mark Petana, Tim O’Grady, Sam Wilson and Scott Sunderland.
Berwick head coach Dale Warren lamented his team’s offensive display, but praised his defensive unit.
“We had them at half-time, but we went away in the second half,” he said.
“They scored from two breakaway interceptions, but their offence didn’t really perform on the day.
“They’re number one in the league, and if you take the two interception returns out our defence held strong.”
The Miners, who slipped to fourth spot following the defeat, have another difficult assignment this weekend when they meet the Croydon Rangers, who occupy second position, at Sydney Pargeter Reserve at 2pm on Saturday.
