Magpies Clinch Finals Berth At Eagles Expense

Illawarra Mercury

Monday August 11, 2008

BERRY-SHOALHAVEN Heads Magpies remained on track to repeat last year's grand final charge after clinching a Group Seven play-off berth with Saturday's 28-20 defeat of Milton-Ulladulla at Berry Showground.

The Magpies wrap up the regular season with a bye and the win over the finals-bound Bulldogs ensured they cannot finish lower than fifth.

Berry's success also sealed the fate of two-time defending premiers Albion Park-Oak Flats. The Eagles needed their 2007 grand final opponents to lose to the Dogs to stay in the hunt for a third straight title, but they can start planning for 2009 - and rivals are pleased to see the back of them.

"If they'd made the semis, they'd have been a massive threat," Berry captain-coach Trent Burns said.

"They just about had their whole team back from injury and they've got all that big-game experience. It's good to know they're not going to be a threat."

With six wins, a draw and one loss, the Magpies were the competition's hottest team throughout the second round.

They will head into their post-season campaign at full strength and brimming with confidence.

"To get there is a big relief, but it comes off the back of a great second half of the year and there's a belief among the boys that we've got as good a chance as anyone to win it," Burns said.

"We'll go in with a bit of confidence but we know we're going to have to keep working hard.

"We didn't get any injuries, touch wood, so we should have everyone available for that first semi. I don't know who we'll play. It's too hard to pick."

Berry had a try disallowed in the opening minutes against Milton and the Dogs soon opened their account for a 6-0 lead.

But the Magpies ran in three unanswered tries to go up 16-6, before the visitors scored to make it 16-10 at half-time.

The Dogs were never too far behind on the scoreboard, but the home team never looked like losing.

"Our season was on the line and at half-time I knew if we could come out and put 40 (minutes) together we'd be in the semis, and the boys came out and executed really well," Burns said.

Standing out for the Magpies were Rhys Sharpe, Paul Skewes, Matt Gallagher and Sam Burns.

© 2008 Illawarra Mercury

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