Miners miss it by that much

By Marc McGowan
A SPIRITED performance was not enough for the Berwick Miners as they went down 21-14 to the Bay City Buccaneers at Croydon’s Springfield Reserve on Sunday.
Four of the Miners’ six losses have been by a touchdown or less.
Berwick conceded a touchdown from the Buccaneers’ first drive and a safety soon after to fall 9-0 behind.
The Miners also benefited from a safety to add two points to the scoreboard.
But their first touchdown didn’t come until quarterback Sam Walker and Rick Brown combined in the end zone in the third quarter.
Walker added a rushing touchdown in the final term, but it was not enough.
Coach Mel Martin did take some positives out of the match – particularly Walker’s display.
Martin also praised outside linebacker Ross Oliver, running back Scott Sunderland, Donte Newton and Brown.
But he lamented the absences of defensive players Brian Afoa, Steve Baker – who is still on national duty – and Stuart Pontil.
Jonathan Leota also missed the first half before returning to stiffen his side’s defence in the last two quarters.
Martin believes his team’s performance bodes well for the rest of the season.
“We started the day with, to some degree, a makeshift defence, but they didn’t give up and kept trying,” he said.
“They’re on the right track – they’re not there yet – but they have the ability, if things go right, for us to get the job done.”
Meanwhile, Martin heads to the United States next Monday to take part in NFL side the Oakland Raiders’ pre-season training camp.
The trip is part of his new position as Gridiron Australia high performance director and he will also be involved in the Raiders’ pre-season game against the Dallas Cowboys.
Martin is hoping to glean as much information as possible to benefit the sport here.
Berwick travels to Geelong to play the Southern Seahawks at 10.30am on Sunday.