Berry capped a great 2017 Shoalhaven Hockey season, claiming both the men’s and women’s titles in Saturday’s grand finals.
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Berry won two thrilling matches in extremely hot temperatures at the Shoalhaven Regional Hockey Complex at the Bernie Regan Sporting Complex at North Nowra.
A good crowd was on hand for boh season deciders, despite the temperatures topping 35 degrees.
The Berry Black women's team completed an undefeated season with a 4-nil win over Allsorts Orange, while the Berry Black man had to overcome an extremely plucky Shoalhaven Heads Pirates team to take the title 4-1.
Both Magpies’ teams were minor premiers and were able to complete the premiership double and it was no surprise after such a great year the Berry Club claimed this year’s coveted club championship.
The Berry women completed a great season, where they didn't drop a game.
After an even opening the Magpies took the lead midway through the first half with Emily Edwards scoring.
Allsorts made Berry work hard and repelled a number of attacks with goalkeeper Belinda Finlay in particularly making a number of crucial saves..
It wasn’t until the last minute of the first half that Berry doubled its advantage with Peta Brooks scoring a good goal.
Both sides created chances early in the second half but it was Berry who capitalised with Susie Jarman scoring a fine individual goal to stretch the lead to 3-nil.
The Magpies completed their scoring with just over two minutes to go when Elle Dodd converted a penalty stroke to make the final score 4-nil.
The men’s game was an entertaining clash, with the experienced Berry outfit coming up against what could well become one of the future forces of the competition, the vastly improved Shoalhaven Heads Pirates.
After just scraping into the finals, the Pirates have been the form team of the play-offs, accounting for both Burrawang teams to reach the season decider.
The Magpies have been notoriously slow starters all year, but it wasn't the case on Saturday when Berry scored after just four minutes.
Great work from Sticks Croker on the right saw the ball centred with Elliott Ashby putting away a neat deflection to open the scoring.
The opening 20 minutes were among some of the quickest, most intense hockey of the season as each side test the other’s defence with some fine attacking raids.
The Magpies went up 2-nil in the 19th minute when a ball from the right found Luke Crocker who finished brilliantly, making no mistake putting the ball into the top left corner in probably the goal of the match.
The Pirates continued to pressure Berry and five minutes before half-time got on the score sheet.
After gaining a short corner the Pirates pulled some sharp play between Dennis Smart and Michael Dun before Smart was able to put the goal.
At half-time Berry led 2-1.
The opening stages of the second half were hectic as the Pirates took the match to their more fancied rivals.
The Pirates tried to assert their dominance through their strong midfield, probably the best in the in the competition, but the Magpies withstood the storm.
Berry capitalised on a loose pass at the back with Jed Sawkins intercepting a pass and with good interaction with Luke Croker, Sawkins converted making it 3-1, giving his side some breathing space.
But the Pirates weren't going to give up and continued to pressure Berry, whose strong, structured play eventually won out.
After forcing consecutive short corners Berry completed their scoring with just over two minutes remaining when Sawkins bagged his second goal with a well taken shot.
The final score was 4-1 to Berry.
Following the grand finals the season's best and fairest award winners were also announced, with Allsorts Blacks’ Vanessa Phelan claiming the women’s award and Shoalhaven Heads’ Dennis Smart the men’s award.
Apart from two highly entertaining grand finals one of the highlights was a special clash between the two Shoalhaven junior sides who put on a great display.