Berkshire Renegades made the long trip down to Cornish Sharks on Saturday and, despite the 0-31 defeat, returned home in good spirits following a much improved team performance.
The match began scrappily, as both teams turned the ball over on their opening drives: first Renegades linebacker Michael Billinghurst recovered a Sharks fumble at the Berkshire 21-yard line; moments later, Berkshire quarterback Paul Waddington threw an interception that was returned to the 15-yard line. The Sharks capitalised on this excellent field position, registering the first points of the day as running back Andrew Dixon crossed the line from four yards out. Kiell Purell’s point-after kick was just off target, and the Sharks were up 0-6. That would be all the scoring for the first quarter as both teams’ defenses took control, with strong gang tackling from the Renegades keeping the Sharks rushing attack in check.
The Sharks doubled their lead early in the second quarter, following a well-crafted drive built on the back of Dixon’s darting runs and Adam Kevern’s up-the-middle blasts, as power back Ian Taylor punched the ball over from the three-yard line. Purell’s point-after kick was again no good, and it was 0-12 to Cornish.
The Berkshire defense were on fire late in the first half, as first Nick Church stripped the ball and Duncan Scott gratefully recovered, and then Ian Hiscock picked off a Richard Atkinson pass. Berkshire were having some success moving the ball, with Ian Lakin’s explosive running being the backbone of the attack, but the visitors were unable to find their way to the endzone and the first half ended with the Sharks just two scores up, 0-12.
Sharks stretched their lead in the middle of the third, as Dixon sliced his way through the Renegades defense for a 15-yard touchdown run. Purell’s point-after was on target, and it was 0-19. The Renegades responded with their best drive of the day, moving the ball 56 yards in 11 plays, the highlight being a great 35 yard Phil Giddings catch in coverage. Berkshire attempted a 27-yard field goal on fourth down, but the snap was bobbled and the resulting pass fell incomplete.
It was the Sharks turn to put together another lengthy drive, going 90 yards in 13 plays, and ending with Taylor’s second score of the day, this time from just a yard out. The attempted two-point conversion was no good as Taylor was hauled down short of the line by Steve Fox and Mike Purdham. The scoreboard now read 0-25 to the Sharks.
The Sharks would score once more, capitalising on an interception of an Andy Hollands pass. Dixon scored his hat-trick from three-yards out, but Purell’s point-after kick pinged off the upright, setting the final score at 0-31.
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