WITH finals out of the equation and the pressure valve lifted, the Werribee Bears played with more freedom to inflict a 34-30 upset over Waverley-Oakleigh Panthers in the Victorian Rugby League first grade at Wyndham VU Reserve on Saturday.
The Bears were instructed to go out and have fun after blowing their finals prospects in a late loss to Altona Roosters a week earlier, and the relaxed approach served them well.
“We had a fun week and that was our emphasis,” Bears coach Grant Paaka said.
“It was quite disappointing that it was all for nothing.
“A week earlier we blew Altona off the park, only to switch off for 10 minutes and they came back for a two-point win.”
The Bears showed tremendous pride in their performance in downing the finals-bound Panthers.
They have clearly not thrown in the towel, even though the post-season action is out of reach.
The fans had something to get excited about with a vintage display from elder statesman Mike Paul.
“He wound back the clock,” Paaka said. “It was good to watch.”
The Berryman brothers – Blain and Jarred – were at the top of their game until Jarred was forced off with injury.
Berryman’s misfortune provided an opportunity for Reihana Hira to make an impact in the second half and he did it in a big way.
“He won the game for us,” Paaka said.
“He ran 20 metres to score the winning try.
“The boys were celebrat-
ing like we had won a grand final.”
The Bears last home-and-away game is against top-of-the-ladder Sunbury Tigers at Langama Park this Sunday.
-Lance Jenkinson
VRL
First grade: Werribee Bears 34 d Waverley-Oakleigh Panthers 30
