Magpies' Dream Monstered By Gorillas

Illawarra Mercury

Monday August 25, 2008

By TIM KEEBLE

BERRY-SHOALHAVEN Heads won't be making a fairytale run to the Group Seven grand final after Warilla booted them out of the premiership race with a 36-28 win in Saturday's preliminary final at Berry Showground.

The Magpies defied incredible odds to reach last year's premiership showdown after winning a midweek play-off for fifth.

Despite being crushed 44-10 that day by red-hot favourites Albion Park-Oak Flats, Berry clinched fourth spot this season - they lost once in eight second-round games -and their loyal followers thought 2008 might finally be their year.

But Warilla have their own grand plans to win the club's first title in 11 years.

After allowing the Magpies to get away to a dream 16-0 start, the Gorillas awoke, posting back-to-back tries to trail 16-12 at half-time.

While Berry fans were restless, most were optimistic the home side would turn the screws in the second half.

But the mauling never eventuated. An energised Warilla continued to surge, building a 30-16 lead and holding on for a thoroughly deserved comeback victory.

"We felt confident at half-time and went out and starved them of possession in the first 20 minutes of the second half," Gorillas coach Peter Hooper said.

"When it was 16-0 the boys could've turned it up and walked away, but they showed a lot of character to come back. It'll give them little more confidence if they get behind next week because they know they'll be able to dig themselves out of a hole."

Berry captain-coach Trent Burns was at a loss to explain his side's collapse.

"I don't know what happened. It was just one of those days," Burns said.

"When we up 16-0, we must've thought it was going to be easy and complacency crept in.

"We know it's a lost opportunity. We should've gone on with it and we let ourselves down. We still had a good season but it would've been nice to go on and have a good crack at a premiership."

Warilla crossed for six tries, with goal-kicker Shane Withers a perfect six-from-six with the boot.

The Magpies' points came via tries to Burns, Aaron Pont, Sam Burns, Kurt Simpson and Paul Skewes, while Matt Gallagher kicked four goals.

Meanwhile, Albion Park-Oak Flats beat Milton-Ulladulla 20-10 in reserve grade, Berry thrashed Batemans Bay 32-14 in the under 18 clash and Albion Park Outlaws ended Jamberoo's season with a hard fought 14-6 win in Regan Cup.

© 2008 Illawarra Mercury

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