Berwick captain and running back Shahid Malimar evades his Croydon Rangers opponent during the Miners’ 26-14 loss at Sydney Pargeter Reserve on Saturday.By Marc McGowan
THE Berwick Miners’ rollercoaster Gridiron Victoria season continued on the weekend, with the Croydon Rangers inflicting a 26-14 defeat at Sydney Pargeter Reserve on Saturday.
However, the Rangers did not have it all their own way and were forced to battle through a tough first half before emerging victorious.
Croydon led from the get-go by scoring the game’s first two touchdowns, one of which set the tone for Berwick quarterback Sam Walker’s day, after coming from the first of several interceptions from the teenager’s passes for the afternoon.
Walker went some way to addressing the situation by connecting on a 40-yard touchdown pass with Cameron Neale in the end zone for the Miners’ opening points, but he struck trouble again soon after.
After the Rangers had run in another touchdown, Walker had another pass picked off, but fortunately for him, team-mate Steve Baker hit back with an interception of his own to win back possession.
Berwick racked up score number two when Walker found Neale again, which was maximised by Jamie Stafford, who caught the two-point conversion.
It left the contest on a knife’s edge, with Croydon 19-14 ahead at half-time, but that was as close as the Miners could get.
Another error-riddled half ensued and, ultimately, it was a Berwick mistake that resulted in the Rangers’ final score, which sealed the result.
Miners head coach Dale Warren singled out defensive mainstays Mark Petana and Rob Zimmerman, who were carrying minor injuries, for praise.
But Warren entered the clash with high hopes and was left pondering his side’s sixth loss of the season.
“It was disappointing because I thought we could take the Rangers,” he said.
“It all depends on how we play on the day – sometimes we play good, but sometimes we don’t have our heads in the game.”
Berwick faces the Nunawading Warriors in the final home and away fixture this weekend, which will have no effect on the Miners’ current ladder position of fourth before finals begin the week after.
The contest will be held at Monash University in Clayton on Sunday at 2pm.
For further information on playing in the Miners’ junior or senior teams, call Dale Warren on 0419 518 201.
