Magpies Must Win At Home
Illawarra Mercury
Saturday August 2, 2008
BERRY-SHOALHAVEN Heads almost did the impossible last year by winning the Group Seven premiership from a midweek play-off for fifth spot.
But the 2007 grand finalists will be in danger of being semi-final spectators if they lose to leaders Shellharbour this afternoon at Berry Showground.The Magpies had won four in a row before last week's away loss to Kiama."We went up there with the wrong attitude. We didn't turn up to play like we had been during our winning streak and they gave us a good shake-up," said Berry captain-coach Trent Burns."We've spoken about it and we know we need to get our attitude right and be competitive because Shellharbour are obviously going well. Our games against them are always tough and they're nearly always close."The key for us is to look after our own backyard and do all those little things right."Warilla take on slumping Gerringong at Cec Glenholmes Oval in today's other game, while last-placed Batemans Bay are seeking their second straight win in their home meeting with under-manned premiers Albion Park-Oak Flats.Meanwhile, Shoalhaven second-rower Ben Wellington will return from injury via the interchange bench for tomorrow's clash with Kiama at Nowra Showground.But the Jets have lost winger Ricky Leighton for four matches after he was suspended for a high tackle in last week's win over Albion Park-Oak Flats."Kiama's a pretty good team. They beat us at Kiama and we're expecting a tough game again because they'll be confident after beating Berry last week," Shoalhaven captain-coach Geoff Johnson said. "We're on a bit of a high ourselves after beating Albion Park and we've got a few blokes who are really finding form."There's a lot of excitement in the club because we're in the semi-finals and we're still in with a shot at the minor premiership."
© 2008 Illawarra Mercury
