INJURIES to key players could come back to haunt both Berry and the Nowra Bomaderry Jets following Saturday night’s Group Seven Rugby League local derby.
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The Jets, at the Berry Showground under lights, went onto win the match 25-18 but both teams will be monitoring the health of their fullbacks.
Berry fullback Josh Coulter left the field late in the second half clutching what looked to be a hand injury while Dwayne Connors, for the Jets, also left the field in the second with what looked to be a re-occurrence of a leg injury.
Connors, against Albion Park in the previous round, was also injured and his annoyance of having to leave the field again was obvious for all to see and hear on Saturday night.
It ended a mixed night for the Jets fullback, which included a stint in the sin bin in the first half and some barnstorming runs.
Overall, given the slippery conditions and playing under lights, the match was a pretty good one and the Magpies pushed their more fancied rivals all the way.
Berry went into the halftime break leading 12-6 and following a bullet like pass from dummy half from Brent Marando to an unmarked Coulter the Magpies extended its lead to 18-6 early in the second half.
The Jets needed a spark and five-eighth Steve Brandon, as is often the case, took charge.
Brandon started to run the ball more and this put Berry under pressure and home side let in a few second half tries, including one to bustling centre Jacob Dolan who ended the match with two tries next to his name.
At one stage, with about 15 minutes to go in the match, the Jets held a 20-18 lead and Berry was given a penalty, well within kicking range for the accurate Coulter, who was still on the field at this stage.
However, the home side went for the four points, not the two, and unfortunately they turned possession over the the Jets.
Both sides, in general, can take a lot of positives from the match.
Berry showed it can compete with the top teams and its first win of the season is not too far away.
The Jets are looking good and will only get stronger with Ryan James making his return back from injury.
James came on midway into the first half and got better as the match went on and he gives the Jets another ball-playing option in attack.
Both sides had many strong individual performers but special mention has to go to the fullbacks and wingers.
Taking some of those spiralling torpedo bombs was not easy for the players at the back and they all handed the conditions well.
Good match also for young Berry winger Jacob Gould who scored two tries.
