Skewes Puts Beef Into Berry

Illawarra Mercury

Monday May 19, 2008

By TIM KEEBLE

DYNAMIC hooker Paul Skewes scored a try in the dying stages to snatch an 18-all draw for Berry-Shoalhaven Heads in Saturday's Group Seven battle with Shellharbour at Ron Costello Oval.

Skewes recently re-joined the Magpies after a stint in the UK and was a key figure in the club's heroic charge to last year's grand final.

He was his usual busy self at dummy-half against the Sharks and pressured the opposition with his ability to move up quickly from the defensive line.

The home side were protecting an 18-12 lead when Skewes broke their hearts with a 78th-minute try. Halfback Matt Gallagher then calmly converted to tie the score.

"We definitely deserved something today. Two points would've been nice but we'll take one, especially being away from home," Berry captain-coach Trent Burns said.

"It's good to have Skewesy back. He adds another dimension to our game with his pace out of dummy-half and line speed in defence."

Back-to-back tries gave the Magpies an early 10-0 lead before Nathan Cooper crossed for Shellharbour.

The Sharks were over again minutes before half-time to take a 12-10 lead into the break.

Gallagher's penalty goal made it 12-all before Matt Coelho replied with a penalty goal of his own to put the Sharks up 14-12.

Craig Paku's try extended the margin to 18-12 but Skewes had the last say in a spicy encounter which featured three brawls.

"Both teams turned up to play," Burns said.

"There was a bit of feeling out there. They had a bit to say but it's not netball. It's a physical game and when you give it, you have to be prepared to get some back.

"We played really good in patches but our second half was a bit disappointing at times. I was really impressed with our defence for the most part. The boys turned up with the right attitude."

Meanwhile, Warilla held off a gallant Gerringong, winning 16-14 at Michael Cronin Oval.

The Gorillas led 14-0 after tries to James Brown and Damien Paulissen.

Gerringong fullback Jason White scooped up Pat Cronin's grubber kick in the 39th minute to score and the visitors led 14-4 at half-time.

White had his second try early in the second half and Joel Roberts' conversion made it 14-10.

Withers' penalty goal soon after made it 16-10 but the Lions hit back again with hooker Michael Brown's try.

Roberts missed the conversion and the Gorillas' defence remained intact down the stretch.

Albion Park-Oak Flats thrashed Batemans Bay 68-6 yesterday at Centenary Field, scoring 13 tries to one with Matt Leabeater crossing for a hat trick.

In the other Sunday game, Kiama upset competition leaders Shoalhaven 32-26 in a six tries-to-five thriller at Kiama Showground.

Table: Shoalhaven 10, Albion Park-Oak Flats 10, Milton-Ulladulla 10, Warilla 10, Shellharbour 9, Kiama 8, Gerringong 6, Berry-Shoalhaven Heads 5, Batemans Bay 2.

© 2008 Illawarra Mercury

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