INJURIES to key players could come back to haunt both Berry and the Nowra Bomaderry Jets following Saturday night’s Group Seven derby.
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The Jets, at the Berry Showground under lights, went onto win the match 25-18 but both teams will be monitoring the health of their fullbacks.
Berry fullback Josh Coulter left the field late in the second half clutching what looked to be a hand injury while Dwayne Connors, for the Jets, also left the field in the second with what looked to be a re-occurrence of a leg injury. It ended a mixed night for the Jets fullback, which included a stint in the sin bin in the first half and some barnstorming runs.
Berry went into the halftime break leading 12-6 and following a bullet like pass from dummy half from Brent Marando to an unmarked Coulter the Magpies extended its lead to 18-6 early in the second half.
The Jets needed a spark and five-eighth Steve Brandon, as is often the case, took charge.
Brandon started to run the ball more and this put Berry under pressure and home side let in a few second half tries, including one to bustling centre Jacob Dolan who ended the match with two tries next to his name.
At one stage, with about 15 minutes to go in the match, the Jets held a 20-18 lead and Berry was given a penalty, well within kicking range for the accurate Coulter, who was still on the field at this stage.
However, the home side went for the four points, not the two, and unfortunately they turned possession over the Jets.