Burns Thrilled As Rejuvenated Magpies Move Up Pecking Order

Illawarra Mercury

Monday June 30, 2008

By TIM KEEBLE

BERRY-SHOALHAVEN Heads' quest for Group Seven glory picked up speed with Saturday's 18-2 defeat of Warilla at Berry Showground.

Seeking their fourth win on the trot, the Gorillas led 2-0 at half-time before being emphatically overrun by the home side.

Sam Burns scored two tries, while Aaron Pont and Matt Gallagher also crossed for the Magpies, who have won three straight to swoop into sixth spot.

Grand finalists in 2007, Berry were hot and cold throughout this season's first round, struggling in the absence of classy hooker Paul Skewes.

But Skewes returned from the UK a month ago and the Magpies have struck form.

"It's too early to say if we've got the same kind of momentum we had going at the back end of last season because we're not even in the top five yet, but our destiny is certainly in our own hands," Berry captain-coach Trent Burns said.

"It comes down to where we want to be at the end of the season, and whether we want to be watching the semis or be in them. We've come good over the past few weeks or so and hopefully we haven't left our run too late."

Warilla were coming off a big win over Milton-Ulladulla and holding down second spot.

But they couldn't crack an unwavering Berry defensive line.

"We were down 17-8 on penalties and had a man (winger Dean Tyson) in the bin in the first half when they hammered our line, but the boys just kept holding strong over and over again," Burns said.

"We were a bit rocky at first and they probably blew a few opportunities, but we just dug in and it was really pleasing to keep a side like Warilla try-less. We talked about taking responsibility for your own performance and showing up for the full 80 minutes, and went out and put it together on the field."

The Magpies are keen to extend their winning margin to four when they take on Gerringong this weekend.

"It's a bit of a local derby, so there'll be no love lost," Burns said.

"They'll be pumped, but we haven't won there since I've been coach and we need to start turning that around."

Warilla will seek to bounce back in their Sunday home game against Shoalhaven.

© 2008 Illawarra Mercury

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