By Marc McGowan
WASTEFUL.
There is no other way to describe the Berwick Miners’ 6-0 loss to the Bay City Buccaneers at Sydney Pargeter Reserve on Sunday.
The Miners dominated in general play for the opening three quarters, but a host of dropped catches let them down and ultimately cost them defeat.
Kabir Malimar dropped what would have been a certain touchdown in the first term before fellow wide receiver Rick Brown failed to glove one in the end zone in the second quarter.
Berwick also had possession at its five-yard line on the cusp of half-time, but veteran running back Scott Sunderland was unable to score, despite consecutive attempts.
Quarterback Sam Walker was impressive for most of the day, but his frustration at his receivers’ inept performance appeared to boilover when he threw an interception late in the third term.
The Buccaneers’ defence managed to pick off another Walker pass in the fourth quarter after the visitors had taken the lead.
Even Bay City’s sole score came courtesy of a Miners mistake.
Cornerback Dan Smith’s poor coverage on one play capped a rollercoaster series from the Buccaneers and allowed one of their wide receivers to catch the ball and run in the winning touchdown.
Berwick’s defence managed to halt Bay City several times during the drive, including a huge sack from Brian Afoa and a forced fumble, but the latter was continually able to escape.
Miners coach Mel Martin dubbed the game one of the most frustrating in his career, but found some solace from the contest.
“The positive is we were putting ourselves in a position where we could win the game,” he said.
“The catching and other problems we have are very easily remedied; it’s either a confidence or a concentration thing.
“Another positive I took out of the game was the way our defence played – there were often three, four or five men in on the tackle, which was great to see.”
Steve Baker, Sam Wilson and Rob Zimmerman all recorded interceptions, while Martin was also impressed with Rashid Malimar, Afoa and Mark Petana.
Only Walker spared Martin’s wrath on the offensive side of things after the match, but the coach said Sunderland, Brown and Lee Lindsay did some good things.
Berwick, which slumped to 1-4, meets the Western Crusaders at Footscray’s Henry Turner Reserve on Sunday at 2pm.
