By Mark Gullick
BERWICK shook off a determined Keysborough to record a 41-point win in a dour battle in their Casey Cardinia Football League match at Edwin Flack Reserve on Saturday.
The Wickers extended their two-goal half-time lead with a five-goal to nil third quarter.
Keysborough won the final quarter, but the match was already out of their reach at that stage.
Berwick captain Jason Kelly was the Wickers best player with a typically strong game in the back half.
Midfielder Tim Gunn was prominent, Yilber Zijai was busy, and Brett Robinson contributed.
Callum Rutherford played well in his first senior game of the year, and Nathan Page worked tirelessly along the wing.
NARRE WARREN V PAKENHAM
SPURNED by last week’s thumping, Narre Warren flexed its muscle and smashed a disappointing Pakenham by 66 points at Kalora Park.
Narre Warren claimed its first win on the back of an eight-goal second term, which saw the Magpies take a 52-point margin into the half-time break.
The second half was even in play and on the scoreboard with Narre Warren winning that period nine goals to eight.
“(Narre Warren) were too good for us,” Pakenham coach Michael Holland said.
“They moved the ball well and they were more desperate than us. They wanted to get in there and get first use of it, which is always a bonus as you can dictate play to a certain extent. That was disappointing, but in saying that, they just played the basics better than us.”
Narre Warren coach Chris Toner was pleased with the win.
“It was a while coming, but it was worth the wait,” he said.
“Each time they scored we were able to answer back relatively quickly, whereas the week before, we did a lot of work without getting value for it on the scoreboard. This week was opposite, and with the conditions the way they were, to have 41 scoring shots, it was a really good effort.”
Ben Wragg was irrepressible, kicking six goals and providing a focal point, while also working through the midfield.
Captain Michael Collins was superb in the midfield and Cole Harvey provided a welcome return. Both kicked three goals each.
Clay Peresso and ruckman Matthew Olney played well, as did Nick Scanlon (four goals).
