By JARROD POTTER
BERWICK almost claimed its biggest football scalp, getting within 12 points of premiership aspirant Diamond Creek.
Berwick led the charge in the first quarter, kicking to a five-point lead to shock the Creekers into action.
Diamond Creek fought back with a four-goal second term in a 15-minute blitz that left the Wickers struggling to stay in the match.
At all turns in the second half, the Wickers stuck firm. Star Diamond Creek midfielder Katie Loynes, a former Berwick player herself, copped a hard tag off Berwick’s Alana Woodward – with Berwick coach Shaun Smith labelling the performance as critical to keeping the team in the hunt.
Chances abound fell the Wickers way in the last half, but they couldn’t pull ahead once more and slipped to a “Not winning the game is pretty disappointing as we got so close, but I was just really happy with the way the girls played -especially after the way they played last week,” Berwick coach Shaun Smith said.
“Just little things they need to work on – still a young side and haven’t played a lot of footy together, but we have a lot of potential.”
Steph ’Richo’ Brown jagged her maiden five-goal haul, with Tess Butler and Ellie Blackburn, returning for her first senior match of the season, kicking two apiece while Georgia Punton, Ash Fennell and Woodward all starred.
“She was looking really good Richo – she got herself fitter than she was last year – there’s still plenty more that she can do,” Smith said.
“Georgia Punton was very good again on the weekend – very happy with the talk on the ground and the leadership among the group and she’s one of them.
“Alana Woodward was on her (Katie Loynes) – she’s a very good player.
“Little stiff that Loynes got best on the ground – but if Alana wasn’t on her, Loynes would’ve carved us apart so she did a pretty good job and got the ball herself.”
The nomadic Wickers – finally back at home after six weeks – take on third place Melbourne Uni at Edwin Flack Reserve on Sunday, with intent to avenge their 84-point round one loss to the MUGARs.
