Berwick Miners head coach Darren Shaw was pleased with his side’s second-half fightback despite falling just short against the Nunawading Warriors. 18981 Picture: Meagan Rogers.By Stuart Teather
THE Berwick Miners came within a whisker of upsetting top side Nunawading Warriors in their round 10 Gridiron Victoria match on Saturday.
After a poor showing early, Berwick turned up the heat on the Warriors in the second half, but fell three points short, going down 15-12 in a tense match.
The Miners had trouble early with a number of players not showing up, which forced coach Darren Shaw to play several out of position.
With the changes, Berwick’s defence was shaky early, and the team allowed an easy touchdown which the Warriors converted, giving the side a 7-0 lead.
From there the Miners defence found its rhythm, and held off against the top side’s fancied offence until late in the first half when the Nunawading running back shrugged off a number of tackles to put the ball down, giving his side a 15-0 half-time lead.
After the break it was a different game, however, and a 15-yard pass from quarterback Sam Walker set Cameron Neale on his way with a 40-yard run to the line giving the Miners their first score of the afternoon.
One of Berwick’s American players, Rob Zimmerman, used his strength to dive through the Warriors defence to land another touchdown, but it was not enough as the Warriors held out for a close win.
Shaw said he was pleased with his side’s second half, particularly with how the defence responded after the main break.
“They didn’t do anything in the second half – our defence completely smothered them and they only got a few small runs,” he said.
“I think good things are on the way. The next two weeks will determine whether we play finals.”
The result was the equal-best a side has performed against the ladder leader this season, with the Croydon Rangers the only other team to get within three points, back in round five.
Shaw said he would be taking a hard line with those who did not take part in the game.
“Those that didn’t show up can find their way into the side on game day – they can watch their mates from the bench and do their penance,” he said.
Of those who played, Shaw said Mark Petana, Shahid Malimar, Nick Vlad and rookie Ross Oliver were among the best.
The Miners take on the Western Crusaders at Henry Turner Reserve, Footscray, at 2pm on Sunday.
