Despite having four losses to their name to start the year, Berry dug deep and made a statement in the round five clash.

The match didn’t start ideally for the hosts, who gave a penalty for a high tackle on the very first tackle of the match.

This gave Warilla a piggy-back down field, into a strong attacking position.

If not for some great cover defence by the Magpies, Nathan Gallestegui would have opened the scoring for the Gorillas.

It wasn’t to be but the Gorillas remained on the front foot.

Ten minutes into the match, Gorillas prop Joel Skeates found halfback Josh Kent with a scrappy offload.

The playmaker dived over and opened the matches scoring from close range.

Fullback Chad Lisch added the extras and the visitors led 6-nil.

The lead would be extended when fullback Lisch pounceed on a wayward pass by the Magpies to run 80 metres and score.

Lisch couldn’t convert his own try and the score remained 10-nil.

Things continued to get worse for the hosts, as fullback Josh Coulter kicked it out on the full from the kick-off.

But Berry knew they needed to be next to score and a big hit from centre Rory McCall caused Gorillas’ second-rower Nick Nikitaras to knock-on.

Berry gained the ascendancy but couldn’t convert it into points, with their ball control being their achilles heal.

The hosts were rewarded for a strong kick chase when Gorillas fullback Lisch dropped the ball his on own 40 metre line.

On the next set, Berry spread the ball wide and fullback Coulter got outside his man to open the scoring for the Magpies.

Coulter converted his own try, to make it 10-6.

Berry built on that try, with hooker Blake Dryden scoring two minutes later, catching the markers off-guard and scooting over from dummy-half.

Coulter added the extras and Berry hit the lead for the first time 12-10, with 10 minutes to play in first half.

The lead was short lived, when Lisch picked up a loose ball, wrapped around and put his winger Nathan Gallestegui in to score.

Lisch missed the conversion and the score at half-time was 14-12 to the visitors.

Berry came out the more determined in the second-half, showing intensity and great line speed in defence.

They were rewarded when Brent Marando made a break down the wing and kicked it forward.

His centre Rory McCall led the chase, kept it on the toe and scored an exciting long-range try, which got a rousing reception from the crowd.

Despite missing the kick, Berry returned to the lead 16-14.

Berry’s resilient defence eventually gave in, after three straight sets defending their line.

Gorillas half Josh Kent took advantage and dived over from close range, to put his team back in front 20-16, after the conversion was successful.

The slippery surface, which was heavy under foot, seemed to be taking its toll on all the players.

With gaps opening up, five-eighth Josh Ingold cut through the Warilla line to score out wide.

Coulter converted from the sideline to give his side the lead once more 22-20.

Ingold continued to dominate, this time putting second-rower Mitch Liddicoat through a hole, who dived over left of the uprights.

Coulter couldn’t add the extras, making it 26-20.

Berry then gave away a silly penalty on their own line, giving their opponents a sniff.

But their strong defence held on and repelled countless attacks.

The Magpies fed off this and once they regained possession, Ingold continued his excellent half by combing with Liddicoat again, who scored a second try for the afternoon.

A crucial conversion by Coulter was landed from the sideline, to give Berry a 32-20 lead with less than 10 minutes to play.

Spectators were given a grandstand finish when Gorillas’ Kent strolled over from close range, closing the gap to eight points 32-24.

But with Lisch missing the kick, the game was all but put to bed, three minutes from time.

Berry now look to build on this win against Port Kembla on the road next weekend.