Berwick Miners strongman Mark Petana, pictured sacking the Southern Seahawks’ quarterback, shone on offence and defence at Sydney Pargeter Reserve on Sunday.By Marc McGowan
TWO massive wins over Gridiron Victoria’s minnows have convinced Berwick Miners coach Darren Shaw that they are ready to take on the league’s big guns.
The Miners backed up from their crushing defeat of the Monash University Barbarians the previous week with a similarly devastating 54-0 spanking of the Southern Seahawks at Sydney Pargeter Reserve on Sunday.
There was little doubt about the result from the outset, with Berwick dominating in the air and on the ground against the Seahawks’ inept defence.
If quarterback Sam Walker was not throwing touchdowns or running in scores, he was handing off to running backs Scott Sunderland and Mark Petana to do the bullocking work.
The Miners’ offence has taken on a completely different look since the introduction of wide receiver Cameron Neale two weeks ago.
Shaw believes Neale, who had been struggling with a knee problem, in-form veteran Dale Warren and exciting youngster Nick Vlad will form a lethal combination that will threaten most sides.
Neale caught three touchdowns on the weekend to be Berwick’s offensive standout, while Mark Petana’s two sacks set the tone for the defensive unit.
Walker also had a day out, tossing six touchdowns and running in two scores.
Sunderland sustained a right knee injury, but the club hopes it is only bruising and not cartilage damage as first feared.
The Miners are on the bye this weekend before facing the second-placed Croydon Rangers – who they lost 15-6 to in round three – in the first of three pivotal games in their season.
“I think our offence can exploit their defensive backfield – the last time we played them we really only had one threat at wide receiver, but now we have three,” Shaw said.
“We kept them to a low score and should have beaten them, so if we keep them under 21 points we should win the game.
“The last two games have set us up and now it’s time to put our heads down and bums up and make our march to the finals.”
Berwick resumes against the Rangers on Saturday 12 July from 2pm at Sydney Pargeter Reserve.
