By Wil Spence
A win that was much needed, and much deserved, came on the weekend for Clint Evans’ Berwick outfit, as they defeated Park Orchards by eight points in nail-biting fashion to give them their second win of the season and provide them a 10-point buffer on North Ringwood at the bottom of the EFNL’s Premier Division.
Avoiding relegation to Division One is Evans’ number one aim for 2022.
“The first thing was to get away from the relegation spot, we were only six points in front of North Ringwood so to get out to 10 points is really important,” he said during the week.
Berwick were in control for much of the game, leading the Sharks by 40 points at three quarter time. However, Berwick have been known to give up leads and struggle in the final quarter having lost four of their games by 20 points or less, with a draw to go with that.
Evans was really pleased with the way his side was able to shift the momentum back in their favour and be on the right side of the ledger.
“They sort of got on a run in that last quarter and gave us a little scare but with so many young kids, they were always going to come, and it was sort of a matter of when that would be and how are we going to stem the flow, thankfully when the siren went, we were in front.”
With a relatively young and inexperienced side due to various injuries, opportunities have come for certain individuals in 2022.
Berwick blooded four debutants on the weekend, Zac Long, Daniel McLardy, Bryce Curtis, and Braeden Bowden. Evans was pleased with all their performances and highlighted the importance of playing the kids.
“We played four debutants on the weekend, and we had a couple of others that played their second and third games, it’s a really inexperienced side but the enthusiasm and excitement that it drew to the senior players was really good.”
Bryce Rutherford kicked two goals from the midfield and was the most influential player on the ground, continuing his fine 2022 season.
“Bryce Rutherford who was a standout for us, he was unbelievable all day playing on-ball and kicking a couple as well, but besides him everyone played their part for the team which was the most pleasing aspect.”
As Berwick faces a tough opponent, Doncaster East this weekend, with a young and inexperienced side, all Evans can ask for is sustained effort and consistency.
“We know we can match their [Doncaster East’s] effort; we’ve just got to sustain it for four quarters,
“With such a young group, we’ve played 41 guys in the seniors this year and where only 10 rounds in, we just can’t get continuity week-by-week, but in saying that it’s given opportunities to all these young kids coming through,
“Trying to get the kids to back up, we get them [Doncaster East] back on our ground, which hopefully will suit us, as long as we can try and stay with them for as long as we can, and give ourselves an opportunity, it gives us a chance.”