By RUSSELL BENNETT
NO LOSS is ever easy to take but when it’s to a long-time, famous rival it stings that much more.
Gridiron Victoria Division 1 side, the Berwick Miners headed to Ranger Field in Croydon on Saturday with one thing, and one thing only in mind – inflicting the pain of defeat on their long-time rivals, the Croydon Rangers.
But instead the home side won a hard-fought, defensive slog 14-0 to consolidate their position in second on the ladder.
Mel Martin’s Miners – which have battled through a series of injuries to key players and the unavailability of others at crucial stages throughout the season – now find themselves in sixth spot in the Division 1 standings with a 3-7 win-loss record from their 10 games so far.
Last week they were unable to record a second successive victory, falling 20-0 in another shutout to the competition’s premier side – the Monash Warriors.
Berwick will look to return to the winners’ circle this weekend for the first time since their 21-13 win over the Geelong Buccaneers on 4 July.
The Miners will next face the South Eastern Predators who sit just one spot above them on the ladder with four wins.
The game is the second of a back-to-back fixture at the Miners’ home base at Rawling Field at Sydney Pargeter Reserve in Endeavour Hills this Saturday.
The opening kick off is at 1.30pm.
