JAMBEROO Superoos have overcome their second slow start in two weeks before outclassing a plucky Berry-Shoalhaven Heads Magpies 36-10 at the Berry Showground on Saturday.
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Both sides went into the game under-strength, and while it has been a more than forgettable season injury-wise for the Magpies, they also had the extra burden of playing a man short for almost 70 minutes after second-rower Jack Parrish was dismissed after an all-in-brawl, charged with using an elbow.
The home side jumped out of the blocks when winger Russell Shepherd raced over in the corner for a 4-nil lead, before Parrish was given his marching orders on touch judge Gary Brickell’s report.
It took Jamberoo until the 19th minute to hit back when second-rower James Gilmore made a strong run on the right to send winger Dean Watling over for 4-all.
Jamberoo’s joy was short-lived, when, in the 25th minute, Magpies captain Josh Ingold hoisted a huge bomb at the goal posts and was on hand to dive on the fumble and convert for the home side to go to a 10-4 lead.
Jamberoo had their second try six minutes later when strong work by centre Jake Clarke gave flying winger Ben Barnard a clear sprint to the line and heartbreak for the Magpies with less than a minute remaining in the opening half when fullback Mark Asquith ran off an inside pass from five-eighth Jayde Tooth to cross under the posts.
Watling converted for the visitors to lead 14-10.
The start in the second half was always going to be important and it was the Superoos who struck first when Barnard again crossed in the corner and Watling converted from touch for 20-10.
The Magpies then showed great resolve to hold their opposition and play some good football before quick tries to Jamberoo’s for Clarke and second-rower Corey Grigg blew the score out and they finished with a spectacular long distance try to replacement winger Andrew George, who finished great lead-up by Corey Grigg and Watling to dive over in the corner for Watling to convert.
While happy with the win, Jamberoo captain-coach Jono Dallas wasn’t overly impressed with the performance, despite the fact that it was a big step toward securing a spot in the top three come semi-final time.
Props Matt Webster and Aaron Grigg set the platform for the rest of the side, while Gilmore, Jayde Tooth, Clarke and Barnard all had some moments.
The gutsy Magpies who were best served by Josh Ingold, Blake Dryden, Joe Rogers and youngster Lloyd Herron all tried hard to rally the Magpies.
