After Waaia rolled the Saints in the second weekend of the Picola District Football League finals, Berrigan had the chance to respond against Deniliquin, which was coming off a bye after its opening weekend elimination final win over Jerilderie.
Berrigan fought hard in the first term, but the onus to kick straight began from the outset.
The Saints tallied more scoring shots in the first quarter, but kicked 2.5 (17) to Deniliquin’s 5.1 (31), mounting pressure on each Saint that lined up the big sticks.
With the mental goal-kicking demons in place, the Rovers put the pedal to the metal in the second term to rip the game from Berrigan’s hands, establishing a 34-point half-time lead.
But as a worthy top-four side, Berrigan wasn’t to be counted out.
In their highest scoring quarter this finals series, the Saints kicked four goals and four behinds to reel in the near-six-goal lead to 19 points.
However a late goal in the term from Waylan Johncock swung the terms of the game back in Deniliquin’s favour.
The Rovers notched the first four scores of the last, albeit only converting truly once, but it was enough to extend the lead beyond doubt.
Another period of more behinds than goals ensued for Berrigan as the two clubs exchanged majors late to see out a final result of 13.10 (88) to 8.17 (65).
Hayden Barker top scored for the Rovers with four, while Liam East was also prolific for the victors.
The Rovers will advance to play Katamatite in the preliminary finals, with Waaia to face Katandra after the Kats dispatched Tungamah on Sunday.
Following a loss to the Tigers in the qualifying finals, Katandra bounced back against a plucky Tungamah, claiming a 15.13 (103) to 9.9 (63) win at the Bears’ home deck.
In the netball, Katamatite will be joining its football counterpart in the preliminary finals after defeating Tocumwal by 19 goals.
The Tigers have been in unparalleled form of late, with a 39-goal elimination final win highlighting the club has come with genuine intentions for flag success.
Tocumwal’s loss marks the third straight sets exits across both the Picola District football and netball landscape at the weekend, after Sunday’s semi-final result also saw third-placed Katunga fall in a close battle to Dookie United.
Coming down to the wire in enthralling fashion, Dookie claimed a narrow two-goal win to advance to the preliminary finals against Deniliquin.
Katamatite will play Katandra in the preliminary finals, a side that the Tigers shared a win and a loss against during the home and away season.
