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A GRADE REPORTS FOR 2008 WINTER SEASON


SEPTEMBER 13
GRAND FINAL

Egan spins a blinder as Saints take winter title
Kingsley Collins

East Belmont Saints have ended Lara's three-year championship reign with a thrilling 1-0 win in the GBA Grand Final this afternoon. In what was surely the game of his life at this level, Brad Egan went the distance in conceding just three hits against the vaunted Wildcats offence, to properly earn MVP honours on the day. But he was not the only hero of this game, with both clubs turning on a superb display of baseball skill in perfect weather conditions, in front of a huge and appreciative crowd.

Both sides had a number of chances to score.

Saints had two runners on base in both of the first two innings, only to be thwarted as the Wildcats turned a couple of infield doubles. Lara loaded the bases in the bottom of the second, but failed to capitalise. After that, it was a struggle for both offences, with little action until the fifth, when Elliott hit safely for Saints, he advanced on an Alldis sacrifice, pinched third on a Holmes fumble and scampered home on a shallow Lee Poulter sacrifice fly to rightfielder Ben Hammer. This would be the only score of the game.

Lara threatened again, in the sixth, when Cameron Forbes singled, Hammer walked and Ross Wilson laid down a sac bunt. But a Nathan Holmes fly ball was followed by a Stephen Wilson strikeout - a huge blow by Brad Egan, who some expected to be tiring by this stage.

Again, in the bottom of seven, Lara's Aaron Green beat out an infield safe hit, he advanced on Wilkie's sac bunt and went to third on a Stuart Forbes grounder. But Manager Clinton Lewis - entering the game for Pruis - struck out as the Saints got out of jail again.

And that was really all she wrote, with neither side subsequently looking likely to score. A walk and a HPB in the top of nine landed two runners on for Saints. But Ross Wilson relieved for the Wildcats and closed out the innings. Lara was not able to mount a challenge in the equaliser and Egan finished with the win - over nine impressive digs against a quality winter club.

In some respects, a 1-0 ball game doesn't offer too much at all for spectators. But this game had plenty of highlights:

A superb nine innings stint by Brad Egan, who was a worthy and obvious winner of the Grand Final MVP. But let us not forget the man behind the dish - Chris Rickard - who went about the business in his usual no-nonsense manner.

A typically polished performance by Lara's Cameron Forbes, who gave up just six hits.

Some fantastic defence by both sides. Nothing was given away, a number of doubles were turned and a number of crucial outfield fly balls were speared.

But from this observer's point of view, there were two standout performances coming into the game that kept the Saints side "up" and maybe gave them an intangible edge that made the difference.......

Saints Manager Lee Poulter kept his side in the finals contest by leading his team's offence over the past few weeks, when their hitting has been pretty quiet. His contribution has been invaluable - the go-ahead RBI today, five RBIs in the Preliminary and a couple of hits in the Second Semi-Final.

Mark "Ghost" Jeffery went into the Grand Final carrying a set of stitches in his mouth after last week's mishap. The evergreen shortstop was at his silky best and he made seriously good contact on a couple of his trips to the plate. 

Although finishing on top after the home and away games, Saints did it hard in recent weeks. They had massive spectator support and there was a tide of emotion created by the "first pitch" ceremony. All credit to them for coming through today. But let's also acknowledge the terrific game played by Lara, who have enjoyed a magnificent few years, made it a great contest again today but simply struggled to convert their chances.

SAINTS:  0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 (1) errors 3
LARA:  0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (0) errors 1
SHs.
Saints:  T Elliott 2, M Jeffery 2, L Poulter, M Ernstzen
Lara:  C Forbes, S Wilson, A Green
RBIs. 
Saints:  L Poulter
Pitching. 
Saints:  B Egan 9 inn, 3 hits, 5 Ks, 2 BB
Lara:  C Forbes 8.3 inn, 6 hits, 3 Ks, 5 BB
           R Wilson 0.7 inn


On what was a wonderful day of winter Grand Finals, three of the five senior contests were decided by one run and another by two runs. In A Reserve, Saints powered away from Guild 11-4 to make it a quinella for the club, who will be partying long and hard tonight. Colac got up 13-12 over Mounties in B Grade; Corio came from behind to down Colac 11-10 in B Reserve; while Deakin Blue held off Ballarat Brewers to take the C Grade title.
SEPTEMBER 6
PRELIMINARY FINAL

Saints stun Guild with late assault: Poulter a hero for the haloed ones
East Belmont Saints will meet Lara Wildcats in the A Grade Grand Final next Saturday.

While it was by no means a one-man show, Saints Manager Lee Poulter is the toast of Pioneer Park tonight after leading his side to an inspiring come-from-behind 6-4 win  over Guild in the Preliminary Final. Facing a 0-4 deficit in the bottom of eight - and without Lee and  Ryan in the lineup - the Saints still seemed a long shot to make it a contest. But with two out,  and bags loaded, Poulter delivered with a timely double from a tiring Pat Moulton, to plate all  three for Saints. Evergreen Mick Alldis backed this up with a run-scoring single, the game was  tied up and proceeded to extra time.

Guild had their scoring opportunities but failed to convert as Saints defended stoutly, with a facial injury to Mark Jeffery making the task even tougher. But with Barker, in relief, bringing some of his season-best form to the hill, Saints were irrepressible. Jeffery led off the bottom of ten with a walk, bringing Poulter to the plate. Well.... none of that situational "small ball" stuff for the big man, who simply stood and delivered, crushing the second Landthaler pitch he saw - sending it out of the stadium for his fifth RBI (in two decisive trips) and a remarkable 6-4 win for his club!

Notwithstanding Poulter's remarkable solo effort, there were a number of brilliant individual performances that made this game one of the most thrilling - and most memorable - in recent years down Geelong way.

Southpaw Pat Moulton - joint association MVP - had another outstanding outing to hold Saints deep into the eight innings to give up just four hits and strike out ten - seven of those, remarkably, going down looking.  His counterpart in Brad Egan gave up three earned runs but was honest enough over his six innings stint. In one of his better outings for the season, mercurial Dean Barker slammed the door on the Lions, late, with the assistance of some desperate defensive work.

Plenty will be said about Poulter's effort, especially over a few frothies tonight, but one would imagine - also - well into the future. Five RBIs from his side's six runs - under serious pressure - says it all. It was the timing of his delivery that really mattered, for the Saints hit safely just five times (Mick Alldis chimed in with two). With three hits apiece, Dean Jones and Landthaler were terrific for Guild, who racked up a losing total of fourteen hits. An extraordinary contrast, in this game of numbers. The Lions will be wondering how, how could we lose the game? So many runners on base to have it pinched from us in a trice.

The Guild club has had a terrific year despite again being thwarted in the Preliminary Final. They'll live to fight another day, with their skilled youngsters destined for much playing success into the future. But you have to admire those Sainters. The club has been injured by the loss of Lee and Ryan (although he should return for the Grand Final). Their recent fortunes have been summed up by the nasty blow that Jeffery took on what shaped - for him - as routine ground ball. But the side came through, with so much going against them. The Grand Final should be an absolute cracker!

GUILD:  1 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 (4) errors 2
SAINTS:  0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 2 (6) errors 1
SHs.
Guild:  D Jones, J Landthaler 3, R Darcy, B Jensz, M Miller 2, C Lyons, P Moulton
Saints:  L Poulter 2 (HR), M Alldis 2, T Elliott
RBIs.  
Guild:  D Jones, B Jensz, P Moulton, M Miller
Saints:  L Poulter 5, M Alldis
Pitching.  
Guild:  P Moulton 7.7 inn, 4 hits, 10 Ks, 2 BB
            J Landthaler 2.3 inn, 1 hit, 3 Ks, 3 BB, 2 ER
Saints:  B Egan 6 inn, 9 hits, 2 Ks, 3 ER
              D Barker 4 inn, 4 hits, 2  Ks 2 BB

AUGUST 30/31
SEMI-FINALS

Lions crush Brewers in First Semi-Final

GUILD 12 defeated BALLARAT BREWERS 2
Guild Lions brought Ballarat Brewers' A Grade campaign to an abrupt end with a crushing 12-2 result at the stadium this afternoon. With the loser facing elimination, the Lions outplayed their rivals in all facets of the game. They played errorless defence, out-hit the Brewers fourteen to six and their pitchers were able to exercise greater control in atrocious weather conditions that posed serious challenges after a rain delay in the fourth dig.

The Lions took advantage of some early Brewer lapses by scoring two in the bottom of the first on throwing errors. They backed that up  in the second, with the first of Landthaler's triples being converted to take it to 3 zip. A two-out Mitch Miller single in the fourth stretched it  to five, although that was countered by a Ross Hipke hit that plated two Brewers' runs in the top of five.

Although struggling with control in the fifth, Pat Moulton was terrific on the hill for the Lions, backing up his pitching outing with four RBIs - including a match-defining three-run bomb in the seventh. He had plenty of support with the stick, though - Ryan Darcy going three from three, Cameron Lyons with three hits and Jason Landthaler smacking two triples from his three hits. The Lions were irrepressible with the bat - and in the field - while the Brewer hopes of staying in the contest were effectively snuffed out by the Moulton moonshot last seen heading down over Corio someplace.

It was a battle for the Brewers early in the season, and they would have been confident of a better showing after doing the hard yards in recent weeks. But all credit to the Lions, who played a great game - scoring in six of eight innings before invoking the mercy rule. They will be seriously favoured - on form - to knock off Saints in their Preliminary Final clash next Saturday.

GUILD:  2 1 0 2 1 0 3 3 (12) no errors
BALLARAT CITY:  0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 (2) errors 3
SHs.  
Guild:  R Darcy, C Lyons, J Landthaler 3, M Miller, B Jensz 2, P Moulton (HR)
Ballarat City:  A Collins 2, A Irons, R Hipke, H Burrows, R Meddick
RBIs.  
Guild:  P Moulton 4, J Landthaler, M Miller 2, R Darcy, B Jensz, C Lyons
Ballarat City:  R Hipke 2
Pitching.  
Guild:  P Moulton 7.7 inn, 6 hits, 3 Ks, 5 BB, 2 ER
            J Landthaler 0.3 inn, 1 BB
Ballarat City:  R Meddick 5 inn, 7 hits, 1 K, 4 BB, 4 ER
                         A Irons 2 inn, 4 hits, 2 Ks, 1 BB, 3 ER
                         R Hipke 0.7 inn, 3 hits, 1 K, 3 ER

Forbes superb on hill: Wildcats through to Grand Final

LARA 3 defeated SAINTS 1
Lara superstar Cameron Forbes delivered for his club - once again - by throwing eight scoreless innings to set up his side's 3-1 Second Semi-Final win over Saints. The result sends the Wildcats to the Grand Final and a shot at their fourth straight championship. Whatever the result of that game, the Lara club has enjoyed some remarkable success that may not yet have run its course.

Saints were able to muster very little in offence, as Forbes scattered five hits over his stint - Saints Manager Lee Poulter being the stand-out with two of those. The Sainters' only run came in the bottom of nine, compliments of a couple of passes and a hit off Aaron Green. But Ross Wilson was able to slam the door on any hope the league leaders had of a divine resurrection.

To cap a magnificent game in tough conditions for pitchers, Forbes chimed in with two hits of his own from a team total of nine, the other serious contributors being brother Stuart (three hits and an RBI), Hammer, Stephen Wilson and Holmes, all quality players likely to deliver in the clutch.

For their part, an errorless Saints did nothing wrong in defence and Brad Egan was terrific in holding the Wildcats to two runs over seven digs. But the hitters were unable to produce the goods against quality pitching. They will find it no easier next week, against either the Guild or Ballarat rosters. The Lions and the Brewers meet at the stadium at 1.00 pm tomorrow (Sunday), with the loser eliminated from contention.

Saints was too strong in A Reserve, beating Guild 8-4 in the Second Semi-Final, with the loser to meet the winner of Sunday's Lara vs Brewers clash. Guild lost a thriller in B Grade to Colac, who go straight to the Grand Final. Colac will have a "second chance" in B Reserve after being thumped 13-5 by Corio; while Ballarat Brewers beat Corio in C Grade, to head to the big one in a fortnight.

SAINTS:   0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 (1) no errors
LARA:  0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 (3) errors 3
SHs.
Saints:  L Poulter 2, T Elliott, M Ryan, B Twaddle, C Rickard
Lara:  S Forbes 3, C Forbes 2, B Hammer, R Wilson, N Holmes, S Wilson
RBIs. 
Saints:  A Mathieson
Lara:  S Forbes, B Hammer, N Holmes
Pitching. 
Saints:  B Egan 7 inn, 6 hits, 3 Ks, 3 BB, 1 ER
              D Barker 2 inn, 3 hits, 3 Ks, 1 BB, 1 ER
Lara:  C Forbes 8  inn, 5 hits, 4 Ks, 3 BB
           A Green 0.3  inn, 1 hit, 2 BB, 1 ER
           R Wilson 0.7 inn, 1 BB


AUGUST 23/24
ROUND 18

Saints and Lara to Second Semi-Final: Guild and Brewers face "sudden death"
While league-leading Saints were certain of first placing before downing Bacchus Marsh 7-4, Lara stitched up second placing with their 10-6 win over Werribee Giants, the two clubs earning a double-chance through the Second Semi-Final next week. The  "sudden death" first Semi-Final will see Guild Lions (7-0 today over Deakin) pitted against Ballarat Brewers, who shook off Bellarine 5-3 in a tight match-up that produced no defensive errors for either side.

In A Reserve, the final four will be Guild, Saints, Lara and Brewers (placings to be confirmed).

The first week of finals will involve Saturday and Sunday games. Venues and times will be posted on these pages as they become available. Finals format and procedures.

GUILD 7 defeated DEAKIN 0
Although the Lions would have been keeping a wether eye on the Lara  versus Werribee clash, they did all within their power to give themselves a shot at stealing second placing at the eleventh hour. But that was not to be and Guild will head to the First Semi-Final against Ballarat Brewers.

With duties shared between Landthaler, Moulton and Miller, the Lions' pitching was too strong for the Blues, who picked up just three hits to the Lions' eleven - Ben Jensz remaining hot with the stick and Snarey and Moulton chipping in to also do some damage.

For Guild, now, it's all about next week, while Deakin can take pride in a vastly improved season from last year and look forward to even better times ahead.

GUILD:  0 2 1 0 2 0 2 0 (7) errors 1
DEAKIN:  0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (0) errors 2
SHs. 
Guild:  B Jensz 3, R Darcy, T Snarey, P Moulton 2, D Jones, M Miller
Deakin:  D Eales 2, P Kerr-Chapman
RBIs.
Guild:  T Snarey, P Moulton 2, B Jensz
Pitching. 
Guild:  J Landthaler 5 inn, 2 hits, 6 Ks, 1 BB
             P Moulton 3 inn, 3 Ks, 1 BB
             M Miller 1 inn, 1hit, 1 K
Deakin:  B Belfrage 5 inn, 7 hits, 1 K, 3 BB, 5 ER
               K Shibuya  2 inn, 4 hits, 2 Ks
               C Malthouse 1 inn, 1hit

SAINTS 7 defeated BACCHUS MARSH 4
While the result would have no bearing on ladder placings, these two great rivals fought out a tight, high quality baseball contest that at one point looked like producing a minor upset.

After Saints opened hostilities with one in the first, the Marsh hit back with a vengeance to score four in the third and maintain their break until Saints came alive again to drive in two in the sixth and four in the seventh.

Shaun Moore was superb for the Marsh until the league leaders caught up with him late in the game, while David "Badger" Morrissy wound the clock back a few years with a miserly stint in relief for the Sainters.

With three hits and a couple of RBIs, Chris Rickard provided the offensive spark for Saints, who have been wounded by the loss of Josh Lee but will surely still fancy their chances of a strong finals campaign.

SAINTS:  1 0 0 0 0 2 4 (7) errors 2
BACCHUS MARSH:  0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 (4) no errors
SHs. 
Saints:  C Rickard 3, T Elliott, M Ryan, M Alldis
Bacchus Marsh:  M Jones 2, B Jones, S Kugele, L Vicary-Lovegrove, S Moore, E Byrne
RBIs. 
Saints:  C Rickard 2, M Ryan, M Alldis, B Twaddle
Bacchus Marsh:  S Moore 2, M Jones, C Galloway
Pitching. 
Saints:  D Barker 2.3 inn, 6 hits, 1 K, 1 BB, 3 ER
              B Egan 1.7 inn, 1 hit, 4 Ks, 1 BB
              D Morrissy 4 inn, 1 K, 1 BB
Bacchus Marsh:  S Moore 6.3  inn, 8 hits, 2 Ks, 5 BB, 6 ER
                               L Vicary-Lovegrove 0.7 inn, 1hit, 1 K, 3 BB

BALLARAT BREWERS 5 defeated BELLARINE 3
While there was nothing riding on this game - for either club - both would be pleased with their finish to the home and away season. The Bears because it was among their better performances against a leading side for the season, and the Brewers because it gave them a competitive and decent hit-out on the eve of the finals.

Neither side committed a defensive error and the game was tight throughout, with the Brewers not able to establish a match-winning break. In the eighth and facing a 1-3 deficit, the Bears came to life to plate two runs on a Matt Osborn triple to tie it up, only to have the Brewers reply with two of their own on a Brett Bennetts single with two out.

With five steady innings on the hill and two hits (for all of the Bears' runs), Osborn was a star for the visitors, while Hipke, Bennetts and Meddick did the offensive damage for the Brew Crew. By far the most auspicious feature of the game for the Brewers was the pitching stint from Adam Irons, who has been called upon sparingly in recent weeks but came up with the goods over six innings that produced thirteen strikeouts.

So it's mothballs for the Bears - or hibernation - while the Brewers head to a First Semi-Final stoush with Guild next week. Although Guild has a terrific young side that is capable of upsetting any contender, one senses that the Brewers are a more hardened unit this time around - having breezed through as minor premiers the past two years only to falter when it most mattered.

BALLARAT CITY:  0 0 2 0 1 0 0 2 (5) no errors
BELLARINE:  0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 (3) no errors
SHs.  
Ballarat City:  A Irons, R Hipke, R Meddick, B Bennetts 2, S Kerr, N McKenzie, A Collins, H Burrows
Bellarine:  B McKentish, S Murry, J Crotty, M Osborn 2, W Visser
RBIs.  
Ballarat City;  R Hipke, B Bennetts 2, N McKenzie
Bellarine:  M Osborn 3
Pitching. 
Ballarat City:  R Meddick 2 inn, 1 hit, 3 Ks
                         A Irons 6 inn, 8 hits, 13 Ks, 3 BB, 3 ER
Bellarine:  M Osborn  5 inn, 8 hits, 3 Ks, 1 BB, 3 ER
                   W Visser 3 inn, 4 hits, 1 K, 1 BB, 2 ER

LARA 10 defeated WERRIBEE 6

AUGUST 16/17
ROUND 17

No mercy for Bears: Lions strike early: Deakin impressive: Brewers over Lara
While Saints are assured of top with one game to play, all is not yet clear for the order of the other placings in A Grade. It's a long shot, but Brewers could still pinch second if they beat Bellarine (in Ballarat), if Deakin beats Guild and if Werribee upsets Lara. Lara currently holds second on "head to head" over Guild. The Wildcats will retain second if they beat Werribee. However, Guild will go to second if it beats Deakin and Lara loses (regardless of the Brewers' result). If Lara and Guild both win, the four will stay as it is after Round 17. 

Of course a draw - or a washout - could be thrown in somewhere......whichever way we look at it, a fascinating last round is in prospect for the finalists.

A Reserve is equally intriguing, with a Brewers win over Lara - this week - ensuring that the contest for post-season action goes down to the wire. Guild and Saints are assured of one-two placings, while Lara must remain in third. The interest is in fourth placing, with a simple assignment facing the contenders. If Deakin beats Guild, the Blues will retain fourth and go to the First Semi-Final. But if Deakin loses to Guild and Brewers beats Bellarine, then the "Brew Crew" will make it to the first week of finals.

The B Grade final four will be Guild, Colac, Newport and Mounties, although not necessarily in that order. Corio will finish on top in B Reserve, Saints can still get to second (with Colac having the bye), while Guild may just sneak into fourth ahead of Werribee. Brewers and Corio have headed the C Grade table all season, although Deakin Blue is finishing strongly to have a shot at the double chance and Saints are favoured to take fourth ahead of Lara.

SAINTS 16 defeated BELLARINE 0
League-leading East Belmont Saints wrapped it up 16-0 in seven over Bellarine, but an early finish was the only small mercy extended by Saints, who produced one of their strongest batting performances for the season.

Elliott, Poulter and Jeffery all hit safely three times from a team total of sixteen, with Poulter and Matt Ryan smacking four RBIs each as the Bears tried four of its hurlers on the hill. Add twelve walks to the Saints' tally of runners on base and you'd reasonably suggest that the Bears were fortunate to have not received a greater drubbing.

Backed by an errorless defence, Brad Egan went the distance for Saints for six hits and six strikeouts in a win that guarantees first placing heading to the post-season. A downside to the Saints win was a serious leg injury to Josh Lee on an innocuous slide. Lee has been an offensive weapon for Saints this year and his loss will be a blow to Saints' team balance come finals time. The Geelong administration extends its best wishes to Josh for a speedy recovery.

With a dead rubber to come against Bacchus Marsh next week, Saints will be looking to get through the game unscathed while the Marsh will use the opportunity to give its emerging players a run at the top level.

SAINTS:  6 2 0 0 3 0 5 (16) no errors
BELLARINE:  0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (0) errors 2
SHs.  
Saints:  T Elliott, L Poulter, M Jeffrey 3, M Ryan, J Lee 2, B Twaddle, C Rickard, A Matheson
Bellarine:  J Crotty, M Osborn 2, L Hockey, W Visser
RBIs.  
Saints:  L Poulter, M Ryan 4, J lee, B Twaddle 2, T Elliott, M Jeffrey, C Rickard
Pitching.  
Saints:  B Egan  7 inn, 6 hits, 6 Ks, 1 BB
Bellarine:  M Osborn 0.3 inn, 3 hits, 1 K, 2 BB, 3 ER
                   S Murry 1.7 inn, 4 hits, 2 BB, 2 ER
                   W Visser 3 inn, 4 hits, 4 BB, 3 ER
                   L Hockey 2 inn, 5 hits, 4 BB, 5 ER


GUILD 9 defeated BACCHUS MARSH 1
In difficult conditions for pitchers, Guild Lions blasted five runs in the first to set up a comfortable 9-1 win over Bacchus Marsh, who were already out of finals contention and used the opportunity to "blood" some younger players.

This is to take nothing away from the Lions, who were decisive in offence, with Cameron Harper (three hits), Cameron Lyons (three), Jensz and Mitch Miller leading the hitting in support of another terrific outing by Pat Moulton (six innings for two hits and one earned run).  

While the Tigers face a tough last game against Saints, Guild will need to win against Deakin and trust that Werribee upsets Lara - or at least forces a split result - if the Lions are to get the double chance.

GUILD: 5 1 2 0 0 0 0 1 (9)   no errors
BACCHUS MARSH: 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 (1)  no errors
SHs.  
Guild:  C Harper ,  Lyons 3, M Miller 2, J Lanthaler , T Snarey , B Jensz 1
Bacchus Marsh: B Jones, S Moore, S Kugele, C Porter 1
RBIs. 
Guild: B Jensz , M Miller 2, C Harper, C Lyons, J Lanthaler,
Bacchus Marsh: B Jones
Pitching. 
Guild: P Moulton: 6 inn, 2 hits, 5 Ks, 5 BB, 1 er
           J Landthaler: 2 Inn, 2 hits, 4 Ks
Bacchus Marsh: T Shaw: 6 inn, 11 hits, 2 Ks, 1 HPB, 8 ER
                              L Vicary-Lovegrove: 2 Inn, 0 hits, 2 BB, 1 ER


DEAKIN 10 defeated WERRIBEE 3
It all came together for Deakin, who ran out easy 10 - 3 winners over Werribee.

Brendan Belfrage was superb over six for the Blues, to concede just four hits and one earned run, while Craig Malthouse finished the job with his customary aplomb.

Although both sides made three errors, they were less costly for Deakin, who had a number of stand-outs with the stick. Hiroshi Narasaki picked up three hits, Jacob Harper had four RBIs as he, Malthouse and Strauch each hit safely twice. Lewis Weldon continued his fine form for the Giants by blasting a round-tripper.

Both clubs have been very competitive this season and both have the shot at a major "scalp" in the last round as Deakin takes on Guild and Werribee fronts the Wildcats, who have shown some chinks in their armour in recent times.

DEAKIN:  0 0 3 0 0 4 0 3 (10) errors 3
WERRIBEE:  0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 (3) errors 3
SHs. 
Deakin:  H Narasaki 3, L Strauch, C Malthouse, J Harper 2, D Eales
Werribee:  L Weldon, D Wilkie, L Webb 2, R Balzer
RBIs. 
Deakin:  J Harper 4, D Eales, A Warren
Werribee:  J Lowe, L Weldon
Pitching. 
Deakin:  B Belfrage 6 inn, 4 hits, 4 Ks, 2 BB, 1 ER
                C Malthouse  3 inn, 3 hits, 1 K
Werribee:  C Knight 5.3 inn, 7 hits, 3 Ks, 2 BB, 6 ER
                   L Webb 2.7 inn, 3 hits, 4 Ks, 1 BB, 1 ER


BREWERS 4 defeated LARA 2
The Sunday clash between Lara and Brewers - at Lara - turned into a pitcher-dominated contest after the visitors blasted four runs in the first.

Although shaky early, Aaron Green settled into some steady work for Lara and Ross Wilson threw three scoreless, quality digs in relief. A flu-stricken Rory Meddick went three for the Brewers (for one hit), but the real story was a five-inning relief stint from Ross Hipke that yielded ten strikeouts while scattering two hits from a meagre Lara total of three. Both sides made a series of uncharacteristic defensive errors.

Adam Irons, Scott Kerr and Alan Collins were best with the bat for the Brewers, while Lara would be concerned about their lack of offensive potency in the absence of Cameron Forbes.

Lara currently holds second placing on "head to head" over Guild and will be aiming to down Werribee to secure the double chance. A loss - or even a draw - may consign the Wildcats to a First Semi-Final appearance.

LARA:  0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 (2) errors 4
BALLARAT CITY:  4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (4) errors 5
SHs. 
Lara:  S Forbes, R Wilson, A Wilkie
Ballarat City:  A Irons, S Kerr 2, N McKenzie, H Burrows, R Hipke, A Collins
RBIs. 
Lara:  A Wilkie
Ballarat City:  S Kerr, H Burrows, R Hipke, A Collins
Pitching. 
Lara:  A Green  5 inn, 6 hits, 2 Ks, 5 BB, 3 ER
           R Wilson 3 inn, 2 hits, 2 Ks
Ballarat City:  R Meddick 3 inn, 1 hit, 6 Ks, 1 BB
                        R Hipke 5 inn, 2 hits, 10 Ks, 1 BB

AUGUST 9/10
ROUND 16

Lions hold on: Brewers blank Deakin: Wildcats early break: Bears/Giants split
This weekend decided the season's finalists, although the finishing order is not yet settled. A half game ahead of Lara and a game and a half clear of Guild, Saints seem assured of a top-two finish, although two losses in the final rounds may change that. Lara and Guild should fight it out for second, while Ballarat Brewers would need to win both and hope other results go its way to have a chance of securing the double-chance.

Guild has headed the A Reserve table all season, but received a reality check compliments of a one-run loss to Saints, who will contest second placing for the finals, with Deakin or Brewers both a chance to make the four. Similarly in B Grade, Guild retains first placing despite a loss (this time to Newport). Colac, Mounties and Newport have been evenly matched all season and will fight out the other three placings.

In a further upset in the lower grades, Corio went down to Werribee in a remarkable 22-25 scoreline in B Reserve. But the Tigers should still finish on top, Saints will most likely be second, while Colac and Guild head the others with Werribee an outside chance. Corio and Brewers have been the front-runners in C Grade. Deakin Blue is just adrift of those clubs (despite being "rolled by Gold"), with Lara and Saints the only other chances for post-season action.

Interesting times indeed! As always, we are interested in what is happening in your baseball neck of the woods as the finals approach. Should you have any news, insights, gossip or innuenedo that you would like to offer for inclusion on these pages, please let us know.

GUILD 9 defeated SAINTS 8
Try as they might to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, Guild Lions clung on for an important 9-8 win over Saints, but only after the league leaders had come from nowhere to make the game a serious contest in a rivetting last dig.

With Spence and Egan getting the start for their respective clubs, it was no surprise that the game was tight early, with neither lineup being able to muster much offence in the first four digs. In the top of five, Guild blasted six runs as Egan began to tire and the Saints defence got the staggers. Another three in the sixth stretched the lead to nine, before Saints finally plated a run.

Even at 9-4 into the last, the Lions were looking good until Saints took to Landthaler, in relief for Spence, forcing the Lions to send Moulton to the hill at 9-8, with two out and the go-ahead run on base. Under enormous pressure, the leftie was up to the task, drawing a pop-up and sealing the game for the visitors.

With ten errors between the sides, the game did not reach great defensive heights - as can happen in a "final-like" contest of great importance to both sides. While Saints retain top placing, Guild can still secure a double chance with two rounds to play - but only if Saints falter or if Lara loses to Brewers. For its part, though, Guild still has to get through next Saturday's clash with Bacchus Marsh, who have had the wood on the Lions for the past couple of seasons. And let's not forget that Nick Spence will be missing from the Lions' line-up, taking away a pitching option and a key player with the bat and in defensive positions.

SAINTS: 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 4 (8) errors 6
GUILD:0 0 0 0 6 3 0 0 (9) errors 4
SHs.  
Saints:  T Elliott, M Ernstzen, M Alldis, M Ryan, J Lee, B Twaddle, C Rickard
Guild:  B Jensz, J Landthaler 2, C Harper, R Darcy, T Snarey
RBIs.  
Saints:  L Poulter 2, M Ernstzen, M Alldis, J Lee
Guild:  R Darcy, B Jensz 2, J Landthaler
Pitching.
Saints:  B Egan 5.7 inn, 4 hits, 3 Ks, 3 BB, 4 ER
              D Barker 2.3 inn, 3 hits, 2 Ks, 3 BB
Guild:  N Spence  6 inn, 3 hits, 6 Ks, 1 BB
            J Landthaler 1.7 inn, 3 hits, 2 Ks, 5 BB, 2 ER
            P Moulton 0.3 inn, 1 hit

BREWERS 11 defeated DEAKIN 0
A Guild win was not a preferred result for the Brewers, who whitewashed Deakin 11-0 in a game that was dominated, again, by the Ballarat pitchers and backed up by an errorless defence. The Blues had serious problems in catching up with Meddick and handling another efficient late stint by Ross Hipke, who has hit some late-season form.

Although they were out-hit three to fourteen, the Blues stayed in the contest until the Brewers stretched it to six zip in the sixth and then blasted a further five to wrap the game up in eight. With only five of their runs being earned, the visitors took advantage of some shoddy Deakin fielding in less than perfect conditions. Alan Collins (3 hits), Nathan McKenziie (three) and Scott Kerr (two) picked up the bulk of the Brewers' hits, while Hamish Burrows and Chetcuti both had a couple of RBIs.

While Deakin will be hoping to finish strongly against Werribee and Guild, the Brewers are assured of a finals berth. It will be interesting - with just slim hopes of a double chance - to see if they go all out down at Lara next Sunday.

Details to come.

LARA 8 defeated BACCHUS MARSH 4
Down at Masons Lane, the Tigers took it up to Lara, but the game was virtually decided in the first, as the Wildcats blasted seven off a wayward James Bailey. In a game that Bacchus had to win to maintain any chance of a finals berth, the early assault was a body blow for the Tigers.

To their credit, though, they chipped away to get to within three as Shaun Moore applied the clamps in relief. But the damage had been done, with the Wildcats plating an "insurance" run in the last.

Its win keeps Lara in second placing, a game ahead of Guild - although the Lions have a better run percentage. With games to come against Brewers and Werribee, the Wildcats are still no good thing for a top-two finish, especially with the versatile Cameron Forbes believed to be unavailable for both and catcher Dale Ricketts leaving for the states this week. Although Bacchus have tough games to come against Guild and Saints, their more recent clashes in this league suggest that anything might happen.

LARA: 7 0 0 0 0 0 1  (8)  no errors
BACCHUS MARSH: 0 0 1 2 1 0 0  (4)  errors 2
SHs.
Lara:  R Wilson 2, B Hammer 2, A Green 2, P Pruis, A Wilkie, S Wilson
Bacchus Marsh: S Moore 2, J Bailey 2, B Jones, E Byrne
RBIs.
Lara: B Hammer, A Wilkie, D Ricketts, C Lewis, S Wilson
Bacchus Marsh: B Jones 2, E Byrne 2
Pitching.
Lara: A Green 5 inn, 6 Hits, 5 Ks,  6 BB, 3 ER
          R Wilson: 2 Inn, 0 hits, 2 Ks, 1 BB
Bacchus Marsh: J Bailey 2.1 inn, 5 hits, 1 K, 6BB, 7 ER
                             S Moore: 4.2 Inn, 4 hits, 2 Ks, 2BB, 1 HPB, 1 ER

BELLARINE 2 drew with WERRIBEE 2
Bellarine and Werribee slugged out a 2-2 draw after a ten-inning contest in ordinary conditions at Wallington on Sunday.

A feature of this game was the outstanding effort by Matt Osborn on the hill for the Bears. Going the distance, Osborn scattered eight hits, backed up by an errorless defence. Werribee shared it around, with Wilkie, Webb and Lowe all putting in impressive stints. Jonathon Lowe backed up his solid innings at the end with three hits.

With seven hits between them, Murry, Lyndon Hockey and Stephen Osborn were dangerous for the Bears, who held the lead for most of the game but just couldn't convert when the Giants came back at them late.

While both clubs have been out of finals contention for some time, they have played some terrific baseball and could quite easily enjoy more playing success in the final two rounds, even against the leading teams.

BELLARINE:  0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 (2) no errors
WERRIBEE:  0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 (2) errors 2
SHs.
Bellarine:  S Murry 3, L Hockey, S Osborn 2, B McKentish, J Crotty, J Hockey, M Osborn
Werribee:  J Lowe 3, D Wilkie, J Curnow, M Collins, R Balzer, W Balzer
Pitching.  
Bellarine:  M Osborn 10 inn, 8 hits, 6 Ks, 4 BB, 2 ER
Werribee:  D Wilkie  3 inn, 2 hits, 1 BB
L Webb 5 inn, 7 hits, 6 Ks, 2 BB, 1 ER
J Lowe 2 inn, 2 hits, 3 Ks, 1 BB

AUGUST 2/3
ROUND 15

Meddick the difference against Guild: Bacchus too strong: Lara by ten
With three rounds to play, Saints, Lara, Guild and Brewers look odds-on to contest the finals series. While Bacchus Marsh can mathematically still qualify, it would take a punter with long pockets and a sense of humour to put his hard-earned on last year's runner-up getting a shot this around. 

The serious interest is in the finishing order. Saints are well-placed for a double chance, although they meet Guild next week and have a last-round assignment against the dangerous Bacchus Marsh. Brewers seem poised for a tilt at second placing, although their Round 17 clash with the Wildcats - at Lara - is crucial to the finishing order of both clubs. Bacchus has a horror draw, having to face Lara, Guild and Saints - but the Tigers are eminently capable of upsetting any of those (especially Guild) and stamping their own pawmark on who finishes where.

In A Reserve, Guild has a stranglehold on top placing and is surely favoured to take this year's pennant. Saints, Lara, Brewers and Werribee are still in contention, although each has copped some stick in recent weeks. The Lions are also setting the pace in B Grade, with Colac emerging as a serious challenger along with Mounties YC and Newport. 

Corio and Saints have been the dominant clubs in B Reserve, although Guild, Colac and Werribee are all in the mix. While Corio and Brewers have headed C Grade standings all season, Deakin Blues have experience and rat cunning on their side - and Lara and Saints are capable of upsetting any others.

BALLARAT BREWERS 3 defeated GUILD 1
In an imperious display at Prince of Wales, Brewer ace Rory Meddick proved the difference in his side's 3-1 win over Guild Lions. Racking up fourteen strikeouts over seven digs, Meddick was never threatened in producing the sheer power and wicked breaking pitches that make him - on his day - the pre-eminent thrower in the league. 

Further than that, he backed his stint on the hill with a couple of hits (one for the Brewers' first RBI) as the home side took advantage of a wayward Pat Moulton to consistently land runners on base. It was only superb infield defence that kept the Lions in touch - a Mitch Miller single and RBI in the seventh giving them a momentary sniff. But a team total of four hits is not going to win too many ball games.

Adam Irons and Nick Spence were terrific in relief for their respective sides, both of whom are assured of finals action. But with Guild to front Saints and Brewers meeting Deakin next week, it is conceivable that the Brewers might sneak past the Lions and have a shot at the double chance.

The Lions have been terrific all season under the tutelage of the astute Michael Darcy. They lead the league in most statistical indicators - including hits, RBIs, double plays, pitching ERA - and their developing players seem to blend very well with a few older heads. But one senses that they are feeling under the hammer, while the Brewers struggled early but have started to rally as Meddick imposes his presence. 

Details to come.

BACCHUS MARSH 7 defeated DEAKIN 1
Appearing out of contention for post-season, Bacchus Marsh rebounded from last week's shock loss to Bellarine with a comprehensive 7-1 win over Deakin Blues. 

Bacchus was never seriously threatened after jumping the Blues early and holding a 5-1 lead after three digs. With their pitching trio of Shaw, Bailey and Shaun Moore having a decent day, the Tigers outhit the Blues 12 to 7, the stand-outs being Bailey (three hits) and Moore (two hits, two RBIs).

Manager Craig Malthouse continued to show Deakin the way by hurling the middle innings - to some effect - after Sean Talbot found himself in a bit of strife against the Tiger hitters. This season has been, for the Blues, very much about learning more about the game each week and about building on a developing youthful base. Notwithstanding an early season win over the Brewers, next Saturday's rematch might tell a story about how far the Blues have progressed.

Bacchus Marsh has games to come against Lara, Guild and Saints. While it might be tempting to write the Tigers off for 2008, we should remember how extraordinarily well they finished last year. Guild, especially, has had problems in recent years with the Tigers, who are likely to have a huge bearing on this year's finishing order.

DEAKIN: 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 (1)  errors 1
BACCHUS MARSH: 1 2 2 0 0 2 0 0 (7) errors 1
Hits:     
Deakin:  Jacob Harper , Lachlan Strauch 2, Nathan Warren, Craig Malthouse, Hiroshi Narasaki
Bacchus Marsh: James Bailey 3, Brad Jones, Liam Vicary-Lovegrove, Shaun Moore, Matt Jones 2, Tom Shaw
RBIs:     
Deakin: Nathan Warren
Bacchus Marsh: Shaun Moore 2, Brad Jones, James Bailey, Shannon Hornstra, Tom Shaw
Pitching: 
Deakin: Sean Talbot: 1.2inn, 6 hits, 2 Ks, 3BB, 3ER
               Craig Malthouse: 3.2 Inn, 5 Hits,  4BB, 3ER
               Brendan Belfrage: 2.2 inn, 2 Hits, 1 K, 1BB
Bacchus Marsh: Tom Shaw: 5 inn, 5 hits, 5Ks, 1ER
                              James Bailey: 2 inn, 1 hit, 4Ks
                              Shaun Moore: 1 inn, 1 hit, 0Ks, 1BB

LARA 10 defeated BELLARINE 0
Lara breezed past Bellarine Bears 10-0 with the mercy rule being invoked after seven. 

While the Wildcats had plenty of contributors, superstar Cameron Forbes dominated this eventual mismatch in scattering four hits over the distance on the hill while picking up three of his side's total of thirteen hits. Ben Hammer was in ominous form with three hits, while the Wilsons were again among the offensive action. 

With two hits, evergreen Brad McKentish was a standout for the Bears, whose "hot and cold" offensive production must be a source of great frustration to their supporters.

With Guild losing to Ballarat Brewers, the Wildcats have moved to second placing behind Saints. However, the path to a fourth consecutive pennant is fraught with obstacles - the first being an encounter with Bacchus Marsh at Masons Lane next Saturday. After that, another home game against the Brewers, with Meddick on fire, Hipke well-rested in the wings and Irons entrenched as the league's quality closer. All three of them boasting skinny ERAs only marginally shaded by the Guild pitching staff.

LARA:  0 2 0 1 4 1 2 (10)
BELLARINE:  0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (0)
SHs:  
Lara:  C Forbes, B Hammer 3, R Wilson, S Wilson 2, S Forbes, P Pruis, N Holmes
Bellarine:  B McKentish 2, M Osborn, D Visser
Pitching:  
Lara:  C Forbes 7 inn, 4 hits, 5 Ks, 1 BB
Bellarine:  S Murry  5inn, 11 hits, 1 K, 6 ER
                   M Osborn 2 inn, 2 hits, 3 BB, 3 ER

SAINTS 8 defeated WERRIBEE 3
Saints maintained its game and a half break at the top of the table with a hard-fought win over Werribee.

The game began in frenetic fashion, with the visitors blasting three in the first and the Giants replying with two of their own. After another in the second, Saints held the lead through the middle innings before kicking away with a match-winning break in what was another fairly impressive effort by the Giants against a top side.

Saints shared the hits around, with Matt Ryan being the best, while Werribee's offence was led by Matt Collins (home run), Webb and Lewis Weldon, who has had a terrific season with the bat to be averaging over .350.

Saints gave Daryl George some early stick and it was left to Lowe, Webb and Wilkie to mop up. Egan conceded three earned runs for the Sainters but was steady enough over six, while Dean Barker proved a serious handful in one of his better recent outings.

While Saints are looking odds-on for a top-two finish, Werribee can take confidence into their last three games, with the real prospect of picking up a couple of wins.

WERRIBEE:  2 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 (3) errors 2
SAINTS: 3 1 0 0 0 1 2 1 0 (8) errors 1
SHs. 
Werribee:  L Weldon, L Webb, M Collins (HR) 2, D Wilkie, O Box
Saints:  M Ryan 2, L Poulter, M Alldis, M Jeffery, B Twaddle, C Rickard, A Mathieson, G Carter
RBIs. 
Werribee:  M Collins 2, O Box
Saints:  B Twaddle 2, M Ryan, L Poulter, M Jeffery, C Rickard
Pitching:. 
Werribee:  D George 3 inn, 4 hits, 4 Ks, 4 BB, 4 ER
J Lowe 3 inn, 2 hits, 1 K,
L Webb  2 inn, 3 hits, 2 Ks, 3 BB
D Wilkie 1 inn, 3 Ks, 1 BB
Saints:  B Egan  6 inn, 8 hits, 5 Ks, 1 BB, 3 ER
D Barker  3  inn, 3 Ks

JULY 27/28
ROUND 14

Lara downs Guild: Bears maul Tigers: Bennetts triple sparks Brewers
This weekend may be recorded as a defining moment for the 2008 winter season. The results have placed Werribee out of finals contention and have pretty much assured that Bacchus Marsh - with a tough run home - will also miss out on September action. While the top four seems to have been decided, however, the finishing order is unclear, with Saints a game and a half clear on top, Guild and Lara vying for a top-two finish and the Brewers not totally out of contention for a double chance should results fall their way.

LARA 6 defeated GUILD 2
Playing as "home" club at the stadium, Lara outplayed Guild 6-2 in a result of enormous significance to finals aspirants. It draws the Wildcats level with Guild on points, although the Lions hold second place with a superior percentage. With four rounds to play before the finals, Lara may just be hitting its best form for a tilt at the "double chance", especially with Guild facing a tough clash in Ballarat next week.

Guild began well with two in the first - on a muffed fly and a two-run Ben Jensz single - but that was all she wrote as Cameron Forbes settled into his work and held the Lions at bay. Moulton was impressive for the Lions, early, but Lara hit back to level scores in the fourth before plating three in the sixth. With three of his club's nine hits, Ben Hammer was dangerous for the Wildcats in a game of strategy that drew some baserunning and defensive blunders from the usually polished Lions' outfit.

While the Lions face a "match of the round" contest in Ballarat next week, Lara will not be taking anything for granted against Bellarine, who have nothing to lose in throwing everything at the triple reigning premier.

LARA: 0 0 0 2 0 3 1  (6)  2 errors
GUILD: 2 0 0 0 0 0 0  (2)   2 errors
SHs. 
Lara: Ben Hammer 3, Cameron Forbes, Ross Wilson, Aaron Green, Steve Wilson, Clinton Lewis, Dale Ricketts
Guild: Ben Jensz 2, Cameron Harper 2, Ryan Darcy
RBIs. 
Lara: Ben Hammer, Ross Wilson, Aaron Green, Clinton Lewis
Guild: Ben Jensz
Pitching. 
Lara: Cameron Forbes 6 Inn, 5 hits, 4Ks, 3BB, 0ER
Aaron Green 1 inn, 2 hits, 0K, 0BB, 0ER
Guild: Pat Moulton 5.2 inn, 7 hits, 2Ks, 2BB, 2ER
Nick Spence 2/3 inn, 2 hits, 0K, 1BB, 1ER
Jason Lanthaler 2/3 inn, 0 hits, 0 K, 0 BB, 0 ER

BALLARAT BREWERS 5 defeated WERRIBEE 1
Ballarat Brewers overcame a valiant Werribee Giants 5-1, but only after a hard-fought contest that saw just a sole run scored until the top of the seventh, when a game-defining Brett Bennetts triple stretched it out to 3-0 for the visitors.

George and Webb had decent stints on the hill for the Giants, but their offence - apart from a belated run in the eighth - was not able to muster enough production off Meddick, Hipke and Irons with the close. The Giants have been playing some terrific ball of date but they are certainly out of contention, while the Brewers overcame a sluggish early season to start developing some decent form.

Scott Kerr and Bennetts continue to shine, while Webb and Lewis Weldon were best with the bat for Werribee, who suffered a few lapses in defence.

It's hardly rocket science to note that pitching is the Brewers' real strength, with Meddick back with a vengeance and Adam Irons - another quiet achiever - throwing the ball as hard as anyone in the league.

WERRIBEE: 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0  (1)  4 errors
BALLARAT CITY: 0 1 0 0 0 0 3 0 1  (5) 1 error
Shs: 
Werribee: Lewis Weldon 2, Lindsay Webb 2, Ryan Balzer, Simon Riches, Wade Balzer, Matt Collins    
Ballarat City: Scott Kerr 2, Nathan McKenzie 2, Brett Bennetts 2, Rory Meddick, Alan Collins
RBIs: 
Werribee: Lewis Weldon
Ballarat City: Brett Bennetts 2, Rory Meddick, Ross Hipke
Pitching: 
Werribee: Daryl George 5 Inn, 5 hits, 4 K’s, 1 Bb 1HPB, 1 ER
                  Lindsay Webb: 4 Inn, 3 Hits, 1K, 2BB, 3 ER
Ballarat City: Rory Meddick 6 Inn, 4 Hits, 10Ks 2 BB, 0ER
                       Ross Hipke 1 Inn, 0 Hits, 2K. 1 BB, 0 ER
                       Adam Irons 2 Inn, 4 Hits, 3Ks, 0 BB, 1ER
 
BELLARINE 11 defeated BACCHUS MARSH 6
Of at least equal significance to any other result was Bellarine's 11-6 win over the more fancied Bacchus Marsh, who were desperate for a win to stay in touch with the leading group.

Always dangerous with the stick, the Bears came out firing today and they dealt a serious blow to Tiger hopes of post-season action. Wayne Visser was the offensive star for Bellarine, picking up three RBIs and four hits from his team's total of fifteen. The Marsh tried Shaw, Bailey and Moore in a futile attempt to stay in a game that was virtually gone after the third dig, notwithstanding a desperate late charge headed by Vicary-Lovegrove, Kugele and evergreen (or was that evergrey?) John Choppa Pate - each of whom hit safely twice.

While the Marsh seem destined to miss the play-offs, all may not be gone if they can keep winning and hope that the Brewers fall over during the next month. For their part, the Bears are enjoying their baseball, playing with great heart and could still play a part in shaping of the final four.

BACCHUS MARSH: 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 2  (6)  1 error
BELLARINE: 3 2 3 0 0 0 3  (11)  3 errors
SHs. 
Bellarine: Wayne Visser (4), Lyndon Hockey (2), Simon Murry (2), Josh Crotty(2), Steve Osborn (2),  Brad McKentish, Matt Osborn, Damian Visser
Bacchus Marsh: Liam Vicary-Lovegrove(2), Steve Kugele (2), John Pate (2), Chad Galloway, Shannon Hornstra
RBIs.
Bellarine: Wayne Visser (3), Lyndon Hockey(2), Josh Crotty(2), Brad McKentish, Steve Osborn, Damian Visser
Bacchus Marsh: Chris Porter, Shannon Hornstra, John Pate.
Pitching. 
Bellarine: Matt Osborn 6 inn, 3 hits, 1K, 5BB, 0ER
Simon Murry, 2 inn, 4 hits, 1K, 2BB, 2ER
Bacchus Marsh: Tom Shaw, 1 inn, 4 hits, 1K, 1BB, 1ER
James Bailey: 2 Inn, 6 hits, 1K, 4BB, 4ER
Shaun Moore: 4 Inn, 5 hits, 2K, 2BB, 3ER

SAINTS 11 defeated DEAKIN BLUES 1
In a blue day for Deakin, Saints wrapped this one up with the mercy rule, although the early signs pointed to a somewhat different outcome.

While the Blues struggled for offensive production against Lee, Egan and Barker, they stayed in touch until the league leaders blasted six runs in the eighth. As has been the case for most of the season, Saints looked to their older hands to deliver in offence, with Poulter, Mick Alldis and Jeffery all picking up a couple of hits off Malthouse and Belfrage, both of whom had ordinary days on the hill.

Adam Mathieson made a serious contribution with three RBIs while - with three and two hits respectively - Sean Talbot and Adam Warren stood out in an otherwise subdued Blues offence.

You can't do any more than win in a two-horse race, though. The result gives Saints a one and a half game break at the top of the table but with a danger game down at Werribee on Saturday. Deakin face a tough one at Masons Lane, with the Tigers no doubt riled up after their surprise loss to Bellarine.

SAINTS: 1 0 0 2 0 2 0 6  (11)  1 error
DEAKIN: 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0  (1)  1 error
SHs: 
Saints: Lee Poulter 2, Mick Alldis 2, Mark Jeffery 2, Trevor Elliot, Chris Rickard, Adam Mathison, Gerard Carter
Deakin: Sean Talbot 3, Adam Warren 2, Craig Malthouse
RBIs: 
Saints: Adam Mathieson 3, Trevor Elliot, Marcel Ernstzen, Lee Poulter, Mick Alldis, Dean Barker
Deakin: Darcy Eales
Pitching: 
Saints: Josh Lee 5 Inn, 4 Hits, 6 Ks, 2BB, 1HPB, 1 ER
             Brad Egan 2 Inn, 1 Hit, 1 K, 1 BB, 0 Er
             Dean Barker 1 Inn, 1 Hit, 0 K, 0 BB, 0 er
Deakin: Craig Malthouse 5.1 Inn, 6 Hits, 4 Ks 3BB, 4 ER
              Brendan Belfrage 2 Inn, 2 hits, 2 Ks, 4BB, 5 ER
             Sean Talbot, 0 Inn, 2 hits, 0 K, 0BB, 0 ER
JULY 19/20
ROUND 13

And then there were five: the rest is anybody's guess
With five rounds to play, the A Grade competition appears to have come down to five clubs in the running for post-season play. A cruel loss to Werribee seems to have sealed the Giants' fate, while Deakin and Bellarine will continue to spell danger for clubs above them on the ladder. At the other end of the spectrum, Saints still head the table but are by no means unbeatable (as Bacchus Marsh showed on Saturday).

If the form holds up, Guild should finish at least second (maybe on top), although its clash with Lara next week will be of pivotal importance. Ballarat Brewers seem to have a more comfortable draw than Bacchus Marsh and would be favoured to finish in fourth. But no-one is writing off Bacchus Marsh, who dealt with the Saints this week and are capable - on their day - of beating any other side. Who can forget their 2007 performance, when they rode a tide of emotion and desperation to fall just a run short of the ultimate prize after looking gone with four home and away games to play?

For what little it is worth, this punter is prepared to call the finishing order right now - Guild on top, Saints second, Lara third and Brewers fourth, with the Marsh missing the play-offs by one win. But much can still happen in five rounds - the Wildcats have lost Ricketts, Guild will lose Spence, Brewers are carrying injuries, the Saints bats are hot and cold....and tomorrow it might rain......

GUILD 8 defeated DEAKIN 1
Guild rebounded from last week's loss with a comprehensive win over Deakin Blues, whose sole run was a late-game bomb by Sean Talbot. But one of his contemporaries in Pat Moulton had already placed an emphatic and decisive stamp on the game by throwing six scoreless innings and thwacking a round-tripper of his own as the Lions roared away.
Holding a 6-0 lead after four digs, the game was never really in doubt, with Deakin picking up a paltry three hits to ten and being outclassed by a Lions' defence that has been among the league's best this season.

Its win gives the Lions a healthy hold on second placing (points and superior percentage), with the incentive - next week - of pretty much nailing down the "double chance" should it be able to get past Lara. Deakin has a Sunday game at Pioneer Park, with the chance to atone for a couple of ordinary performances against Saints earlier in the season.

GUILD: 3 0 2 1 0 0 1 1 0  (8) 2 errors
DEAKIN: 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 (1) 4 errors
SHs:
Guild: P Moulton 2 (inc HR), N Spence 2, R Darcy, D Jones, T. Snarey, J. Landthaler, J Lekkas, A Barnes
Deakin: S Talbot  (HR), N Warren, T Kerr-Chapman
RBIs:
Guild: P Moulton 2, T Snarey 2, R Darcy, N Spence
Deakin: S Talbot
Pitching:
Guild: P Moulton 6 inn, 2 hits, 5 Ks, 0BB, 0 ER
          J Landthaler 3 inn, 1 hit, 1 K, 1 BB, 1 ER
Deakin: C Malthouse 5 inn, 7 hits, 3 Ks, 0BB, 4 ER
              S Talbot 4 inn, 3 hits, 2 Ks, 4 BB, 2 ER
BREWERS 3 defeated BELLARINE 2
While the ailing team bus may have been an omen for the Bears, there was little heat in the contest - and even less in the Ballarat air - as the Brewers' "walking wounded" hung on for an unconvincing win to thwart visitor prospects of their second "boilover" of the day (the bus is still languishing somewhere out Buninyong way, reportedly without number plates and shy of a couple of wheels).

After plating two in the second, the Brewers appeared in cruise mode with Rory Meddick in control over six digs, the only run during his stint being unearned - compliments of a cruel hop at second base. Despite their side conceding a third run (also unearned), the Bears refused to give ground behind Wayne Visser, who did a great job over eight digs whilst providing a spark with the bat.

In the end, though, the Bears mustered marginally less in offence than the Brewers, who were uninspiring but no doubt appreciative of the points.

No details received.
LARA 2 defeated WERRIBEE 0
The fickle hand of fate didn't swing Werribee's way at the snakepit this Sunday. Leading 3-2 into the last rain delay of the afternoon, Werribee - who were batting at the time and had taken the lead - were denied the points as rain curtailed the game and the score reverted back to the last completed innings with Lara ahead 2-0.

Lindsay Webb started for the Giants and Aaron Green for the Wildcats and - whilst neither was dominant - scoring was difficult to come by. With two runners on and one out in the third, Nathan Holmes drilled a ground-rule double to centrefield, scoring one, and Cameron Forbes hit the right side of the infield to plate the second Wildcat run in a game that went just four completed innings.

Green tired to the point that Werribee, with consecutive hits, drove in the equaliser. Cameron Forbes relieved in an effort to stem the flow but Lindsay Webb got enough bat on ball to momentarily drive in the go-ahead run. With Weldon, Lowe and Wilkie all picking up multiples in a remarkable team total of eleven hits to three in the shortened contest, the Giants  would rightly feel pretty stiff about not having been able to roll the triple reigning premier.

LARA:  0 0 2 0 (2) errors 1
WERRIBEE:  0 0 0 0 (0) errors 2
SHs: 
Lara:  S Forbes, P Pruis, N Holmes
Werribee:  L Weldon 3, J Lowe, D Wilkie 2, L Webb, S Riches, W Balzer, M Collins
RBIs:  
Lara:  N Holmes, C Forbes
Pitching:  
Lara:  A Green  4 inn, 10 hits, 4 Ks, 1 BB
           C Forbes 0.3 inn, 1 hit, 1 BB
Werribee:  L Webb 3 inn, 3 hits, 1 K, 3 BB, 2 ER
                   D George 1 inn, 1 K


BACCHUS MARSH 7 defeated SAINTS 6
Needing a win to stay in the hunt for post-season action, Bacchus Marsh was too good for the league-leading Saints, with the final scoreline somewhat flattering for the visitors considering that Bacchus outplayed their rivals all day and held a 7-2 break into the final dig.

The Saints offence has not set the world on fire this season and although they picked up twelve hits to eleven, the visitors didn't really fire until Tom Shaw began to tire late in the game. Alldis and Carter were dangerous with three each, while Vicary-Lovegrove (four hits) and Matt Jones and Chad Galloway were terrific with the bat for the Tigers, who gave Dean Barker another torrid outing by blasting five from his starting stint.

The Tigers remain a win adrift of fourth, while Saints find themselves being challenged for top placing with five rounds to play. With another game against Saints to come, along with clashes with Lara and Guild, it's going to be tough for the Tigers - even if they can get past Bellarine and Deakin in the next two.

BACCHUS MARSH: 2 1 4 0 0 (7)
SAINTS: 0 2 0 0 0 4 (6)
SHs:  
Bacchus Marsh:  L Vickery-Lovegrove 4, M Jones 3, E Byrne 2, C Galloway, S Horsntra
Saints:  M Alldis, G Carter 3, M Jeffery 2, L Poulter, B Twaddle, A Matheson, T Elliott
RBIs:  
Bacchus Marsh:  L Vickery-Lovegrove, C Galloway 2
Saints:  M Jeffery 2, L Poulter, M Alldis, G Carter
Pitching:  
Bacchus Marsh:  T Shaw 7 inn, 13 hits, 3 Ks, 6 ER
Saints:  D Barker 2.3 inn, 6 hits, 2 Ks, 2 BB, 5 ER
              B Egan 2.7 inn, 4 hits, 3 Ks, 2 BB, 1 ER
              J Lee 1 inn, 1 hit, 2 Ks

JULY 12/13
ROUND 12

Saints fall in: Bacchus down Guild: Giants third straight: Lara/Brewers split
Five clubs are still well in the race for post-season play, with another having a rough chance should results fall its way. Saints retain top placing clear of Guild (who were upset by Bacchus Marsh) with Lara just one win behind. Ballarat Brewers are a game and a half shy of the Wildcats, while Bacchus Marsh is a further win away in fifth. Werribee would need to win at least five of its last six to have any hope, while Deakin and Bellarine are in the cellar.

SAINTS 4 defeated BELLARINE 3
While not in the most convincing fashion, league-leading Saints took the points with a 4-3 win over Bellarine.

The Bears came out firing with two in the first and, as always, looked dangerous with the bat. In the end they outhit the Saints ten to three but blew their chance of an upset with their defence going to hibernation mode in committing five costly defensive errors while the errorless Saints made the most of the largesse presented to them.

Matt Osborn had a day out for the Bears in hitting safely three times while pitching four tight digs only slightly marred by a string of passes. Sainter Brad Egan was not quite at his best, with Murry and Hockey also hitting safely twice. The greatest concern from Saints' perspective, though, must be its offence, which has totalled a modest six hits over the past two games and has little respite to come against the in-form Tigers' pitching next Saturday.

Bellarine continue to trouble a number of sides but face a tough ask at Ballarat next round.

BELLARINE:  2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 (3) errors 5
SAINTS:  0 0 1 0 2 1 0 0 (4) no errors
SHs: 
Bellarine:  M Osborn 3, S Murry, L Hockey 2, B McKentish, W Visser, L Blake
Saints:  M Ernstzen, M Alldis, C Rickard
RBIs: 
Bellarine:  S Murry, J Crotty, B McKentish
Saints:  M Alldis
Pitching: 
Bellarine:  M Osborn 4 inn, 1 hit, 2 Ks, 7 BB
                   W Visser 4 inn, 2 hits, 1 K, 4 BB, 1 ER
Saints:  B Egan 7 inn, 10 hits, 3 Ks, 3 ER
              D Barker 1 inn, 2 K


BACCHUS MARSH 2 defeated GUILD 1
Bacchus Marsh rolled the more fancied Guild Lions 2-1 in a thriller that has Tigers' supporters talking about another late season revival, especially with fourth-placed Brewers taking only one point from its clash with Lara on Sunday.

A great day for young pitchers with neither side being able to mount much of an offensive challenge. Already having a terrific season, Tom Shaw threw another pearler for the Tigers to scatter five hits over seven digs as the Lions struggled to convert their scoring opportunities.  Picking up a run in the third and another in the fourth turned out to be enough for the Tigers, who were pretty well held by Pat Moulton and Nick Spence in relief.

While the Marsh still has to face Guild again, Saints twice and Lara, it has a definite chance of replicating its barnstorming finish of last season. Guild will be desperate to hold second placing by rebounding against Deakin.

GUILD:  0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0  (1) errors 1
BACCHUS MARSH:  0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 (2) errors 5
SHs: 
Guild:  C Lyons 2, D Jones, N Spence, M Miller, C Harper
Bacchus Marsh:  J Bailey, E Byrne 2, M Jones, L Vicary-Lovegrove
RBIs: 
Guild:  M Miller
Bacchus Marsh:  L Vicary-Lovegrove, J Bailey
Pitching: 
Guild:  P Moulton  6 inn, 4 hits, 5 Ks, 2 BB, 1 ER
            N Spence 3 inn, 2 hits, 2 BB
Bacchus Marsh:  T Shaw 7 inn, 5 hits, 2 Ks, 2 BB
                               J Bailey 2 inn, 1 hit


WERRIBEE 5 defeated DEAKIN 3
Werribee kept its slim finals hopes alive by overpowering Deakin after the Blues scored early to give their supporters heart. However, the Giants kept the lid on scoring opportunities as its pitching staff in Knight, Webb and George restricted Deakin to five hits.

Belfrage and Malthouse were impressive for Deakin but the Giants were able to muster more in offensive production, with Weldon, Curnow and Riches looking the lost dangerous.

While Deakin is well out of finals contention, it will be looking for some encouraging performances in the run home. Werribee is a long shot, especially having to meet Lara twice, Brewers and Saints. Playing some quality baseball over recent weeks, though, all the club can do is keep winning and trust that other results fall in its favour.

WERRIBEE:   0 0 0 2 1 0 2 0 X  (5) errors 3
DEAKIN:   1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0   (3) errors 3
SHs:
Werribee: L Weldon 2, J Lowe, D George, J Curnow, L Webb, R Balzer, S Riches, J Kreihn
Deakin: D Eales, N Warren, B Belfrage, S Talbot, T Kerr-Chapman
RBIs:
Werribee: J Curnow, S Riches
Pitching: 
Deakin:  Brendan Belfrage   3.1 inn, 3 hits, 1 K,  4 BB,  2 ER
                Craig Malthouse 4.2 inn, 6 hits, 4 Ks, 2 BB, 1 ER
Werribee:  Craig Knight 4 inn, 4 hits, 1 K, 0 BB,
                   Lindsay Webb 4 inn, 1 hit, 3 Ks, 1 BB
                   Darryl George 1 inn, 0 hits, 1 K, 1 BB  
              
LARA 5 drew with BALLARAT BREWERS 5
Lara recovered from a three-run deficit to force a 5-5 draw with Ballarat Brewers in a contest that had a distinct finals "feel".

The Brewers opened the scoring with two in the top of the second, matched by the Wildcats' reply with a couple in the bottom of the dig, only to see the Brewers blast another mid-game and two more in the eighth to set up a commanding lead. Good side that they are, Lara hit back with three runs at the death - the last on a wild pitch.  

With bags loaded, one out, Cameron Forbes at bat and Ben Hammer on deck, things were looking shaky for the Brew Crew. But under enormous pressure, Adam Irons - in relief - came up with the big pitches to fan both and get out of the match with what could be an invaluable point in the run home.

With 13 hits to 10 and stranding eleven runners on base - to seven - the Wildcats would be disappointed with their conversion and with a couple of telling defensive errors. All up, though, this was an intense battle between two great rivals who are both well in finals contention (Lara third and Brewers fourth, the latter just one win ahead of Bacchus Marsh, who appear to have a more difficult draw). 

LARA:  0 2 0 0 0 0 0 3 (5) errors 3
BALLARAT CITY:  0 2 0 0 0 1 0 2 (5) errors 3
SHs: 
Lara:  S Forbes 2, P Pruis, C Forbes, B Hammer, N Holmes, R Wilson, C Brown, S Wilson
Ballarat:  H Burrows 2, R Hipke, S Kerr, T Sullivan, D Chetcuti, R Meddick, B Bennetts 
RBIs: 
Lara:  S Forbes 2, L Arandt
Ballarat City:  T Sullivan, D Chetcuti, R Meddick
Pitching: 
Lara:  A Green  5 inn, 6 hits, 1 BB, 2 ER
           C Forbes 3 inn, 4 hits, 4 Ks, 1 BB, 3 ER
Ballarat City:  R Meddick 5 inn, 6 hits, 5 Ks, 1 BB, 1 ER
                         A Irons 3 inn, 3 hits, 8 Ks, 4 BB, 3 ER

JUNE 28/29
ROUND 11

Werribee and Deakin cause upsets: Brewers sink Saints: Lions too strong
Winter baseball is alive and very well down Geelong way, with a terrific round of matches placing the A Grade competition at a fascinating stage going to next weekend's break.

While the result was no surprise to many, Werribee upset the more fancied Bacchus Marsh. Deakin's youngsters whitewashed Lara in a boilover, while the Saints offence struggled to deliver against an on-song Brewers' pitching combination. Guild posted what was - in the end - a big win over Bellarine, but the game was still up for grabs into the seventh inning.

WERRIBEE 4 defeated BACCHUS MARSH 2
Out of the four after a last round loss to Lara, the Tigers find themselves deeper in the mire after Werribee came home strongly to pinch the game and keep themselves in with a chance of play-off action.

Despite another terrific stint from Daryl George, Bacchus would have fancied their chances while holding a 2-1 lead after five, with Tom Shaw looking solid on the hill. In his first outing for his new club, Lindsay Webb had some control issues for the Giants, but the Tigers were unable to fully capitalise.

Although the game was marred by a bit of old-fashioned argy-bargy and some defensive lapses - by both sides - the Giants plated two in the eighth to take the lead, followed by an "insurance" run in the ninth.

Werribee outhit the Tigers eight to four, with Lowe picking up three hits and Curnow a couple. While the Giants are still sixth and just one win behind the Marsh, either will have to play some exceptional baseball to make a dash for the finals.

BACCHUS MARSH:  0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 (2) errors 5
WERRIBEE:  0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 (4) errors 4
SHs:  
Bacchus Marsh:  J Bailey 2, B Jones, M Jones, P Lovelock
Werribee:  J Lowe 3, J Curnow 2, D Wilkie, L Webb, D George
RBIs:  
Bacchus Marsh:  P Lovelock
Werribee:  D George
Pitching:  
Bacchus Marsh:  T Shaw 8 inn, 8 hits, 1 K, 1 BB
                               L Vicary Love-Grove 1 inn, 1 K, 2 BB
Werribee:  D George 5 inn, 1 hit, 6 Ks, 2 BB, 1 ER
                   L Webb 4 inn, 4 hits, 7 Ks, 7 BB

DEAKIN 2 defeated LARA 0
Rebounding from a caning at Ballarat last week, Deakin pulled off the upset of the season in downing a Lara side approaching full strength and reportedly hungry for a tilt at a fourth straight flag.

The Blues' Brendan Belfrage was the real story of this game in holding the Wildcats deep into the sixth while scattering five hits and giving up three passes. Evergreen Craig Malthouse would surely have savoured the moment in slamming the door against his old club, who uncharacteristically stranded a number of runners on base.

Deakin hit safely just three times against Green and Forbes, with neither side conceding an earned run.  

Lara still holds third comfortably, although a second-chance is now looking less likely with Guild and Brewers hitting form. For their part, the Blues will return from the break confident in the knowledge that they can match it - on their day - with the better sides.

LARA:  0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (0) errors 4
DEAKIN:  0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 (2) errors 3
SHs:  
Lara:  S Forbes 2, P Pruis, C Forbes, B Hammer, A Green, C Brown, C Lewis
Deakin:  B Belfrage, N Warren, G Morris
Pitching:  
Lara:  A Green 6 inn, 2 hits, 2 Ks, 3 BB
           C Forbes 3 inn, 1 hit, 5 Ks
Deakin:  B Befrage 6.3 inn, 5 hits, 4 Ks, 3 BB
                C Malthouse 2.7 inn, 3 hits, 2 BB

BALLARAT BREWERS 4 defeated SAINTS 1
Ballarat Brewers gave the Saints offence plenty to think about with a comprehensive, errorless 4-1 win at Pioneer Park. With five of the league's best throwers being wheeled out, it was always going to be a tough assignment for hitters on both sides, although the visitors played some useful "small ball" in sacrificing hitters for the team cause. 

Doc Meddick (five digs and a timely triple), Irons (three innings) and Hipke (one) were fantastic for the Brew Crew, between them restricting the Saints to three hits while picking up fourteen strike-outs in a display of pitching strength that will not pass unnoticed by other clubs. Coming into the game, Brewer Ross Hipke had gone 42 innings without conceding a base on balls. Closing out the ninth - and clearly "mozzed" by some geriatric commentator who had pointed this stat out to him - the Meat  blotted his season copybook by finally issuing a pass (to add to a sole, unintentional HPB some weeks ago).

Ace starter Dean Barker struggled with control for Saints, who were not able to mount a serious challenge despite a stunning six innings of relief by Brad Egan, who threw just 13 balls and 44 strikes - for two hits - in another superb outing.

With Bacchus losing to Werribee, the Brewers have pinched a break in fourth placing and should be able to press ahead for post-season action.

SAINTS:  0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 (1) errors 3
BALLARAT CITY:  2 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 (4) no errors
SHs:  
Saints:  M Ryan, M Alldis, B Twaddle
Ballarat City:  P Gladman, R Hipke, S Kerr, A Irons, R Meddick
RBIs:  
Saints:  B Twaddle
Ballarat City:  H Burrows, R Meddick, B Bennetts
Pitching:  
Saints:  D Barker 3 inn, 3 hits, 3 Ks, 2 BB, 1 ER
              B Egan 6 inn, 2 hits, 6 Ks
Ballarat City:  R Meddick 5 inn, 3 hits, 5 Ks, 1 ER
                        A Irons 3 inn, 6 Ks
                        R Hipke 1 inn, 3 Ks, 1 BB

GUILD 9 defeated BELLARINE 0
While the final scoreline suggests a one-sided contest, this was not the case, with the Bears remaining seriously competitive until the final innings. Guild scored a run in the second and that was it - for either side - until the Lions jumped on a tiring Simon Murry to blast eight runs in the last two digs.

With the highest number of runs for and the least against, the Lions have posted very impressive all-round numbers this season. Although making a few defensive blunders, they put the pressure right on the Bears by amassing thirteen hits - Nick Spence (three and three RBIs) and Cameron Lyons (three hits) being the stand-outs.

But as brave as the Bears' effort may have been, they struggled to mount a challenge against Pat Moulton, who threw another pearler in going seven digs for five hits, six strikeouts and nothing in the runs column.

Their win has strengthened the Lions' hold on second placing. All things being equal, their Round 16 clash with Saints might be the key to deciding the season's minor premiership. However all of that periphery transpires, both clubs look odds on for the double chance. Although at the bottom of the table, the Bears remain competitive and will continue to trouble other sides after next weekend's break.

BELLARINE:  0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (0) errors 4
GUILD:  0 1 0 0 0 0 3 5 (9) errors 3
SHs:  
Bellarine:  J Crotty, S Murry, M Osborn
Guild:  N Spence, C Lyons 3, J Landthaler, D Jones 2, R Darcy, T Snarey, L Harty
RBIs:  
Guild:  N Spence 3, R Darcy, J Landthaler, D Jones, C Lyons, T Snarey
Pitching:  
Bellarine:  S Murry 7.7 inn, 13 hits, 2 Ks, 4 BB, 4 ER
                   W Visser 0.3 inn, 1 BB
Guild:  P Moulton 7 inn, 5 hits, 6 Ks, 2 BB
            J Landthaler 1 inn

JUNE 21/22
ROUND 10

Guild smacks Saints: dismal for Deakin: Lara downs Bacchus: Giants over Bears
East Belmont Saints still head the A Grade ladder comfortably, although their second season loss to Guild - from two - will create some serious reflection at Pioneer Park. Lara is looking strong in third placing, ominously similar to where it was at this time last year (and with a couple of its guns returning). Ballarat Brewers have moved to fourth after a thumping win over Deakin, while Werribee has kept its slim finals chances alive with a hard-fought win over Bellarine.

GUILD LIONS 5 defeated SAINTS 1
While it was by no means an upset, Guild Lions would be buoyed with their 5-1 win over the league-leading Saints. The Saints had no answer to Stuart Barnes (six innings for two hits) and Pat Moulton, who shared mound duties in shutting down an offence that has been deadly dangerous against most comers this season.

Stuart Barnes started this game and quickly retired the top of the Saints lineup. In response. Dean Barker was prompt in dealing with the first two Guild hitters but a Dean Jones triple to the centrefield wall set up a scoring opportunity which Cam Lyons capitalised upon before the Saints could get out of the inning. 

As Barnes settled in to his work, the Guild hitters continued to put pressure on the Saints offence, Adam Barnes led off the third inning with a double and good team hitting couple with aggressive baserunning forced a defensive mistake that resulted in another run. Barnes banged a second double to lead off the fifth inning and the Lions found themselves with bases loaded and one out. This  saw Barker replaced on the hill by Brad Egan, who outed the next hitter befote Cam Lyons scored two more with a line drive to rightfield. Stuart Barnes was superb through six innings and Pat Moulton mopped up with precision. Dean Jones and Cameron Lyons were best in offence for Guild, while Lee Poulter picked up two of the Saints' four hits.

Set to take on a resurgent Brewers outfit on Saturday, the Saints offence - which managed only four hits against the Lions - will receive no respite with Rory Meddick back in harness. 

GUILD:  1 0 1 0 3 0 0 0 (5) errors 1
SAINTS:  0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 (1) errors 2
SHs: 
Guild:  D Jones 2, A Barnes 2, C Lyons 2, R Darcy, N Spence
Saints:  L Poulter 2, M Jeffery, M Alldis
RBIs: 
Guild:  C Lyons 3, J Landthaler
Saints:  L Poulter
Pitching: 
Guild:  S Barnes  6 inn, 2 hits, 4 Ks
            P Moulton  3 inn, 2 hits, 3 Ks, 1 BB
Saints:  D Barker  4 inn, 6 hits, 2 Ks, 2 BB, 2 ER
              B Egan 4 inn, 2 hits

BALLARAT BREWERS 15 defeated DEAKIN 1
Deakin made the trek to Ballarat on a cold, dismal afternoon to be on the receiving end of a old-fashioned shellacking at the hands of the Brewers, who conjured up probably their most convincing win of the season. Not only was the 15-1 scoreline a shot in the arm for a languishing percentage, but it was the manner of the win that impressed supporters.

Rory Meddick was virtually untouched over five digs to give up one hit - the runner being forced out at second as the first half of a double play. The Brewers' defence faltered ever so slightly in the seventh - when the game was well done and dusted. But it was the Brewers' hitting that had the contest virtually over from the point that Daniel Chetcuti sparked a second and third innings blast that swept Sean Talbot from the hill with six runs against his name. The Brewers had nary an offensive passenger, with Hamish Burrows going four from five and McKenzie, Bennetts, Irons, Chetcuti, Kerr and Meddick all picking up multiples as their team amassed eighteen hits to three.

An highlight of this game was the flamboyant - and impeccable - line umpiring performance by Brewers' evergreen Paul Gladman, who was otherwise happy to run around in the twos, have a couple of beers and go home, but was pressed into judiciary service. Good calling, Blue.

The Blues show a refreshing willingness to expose their young players to this level of competition, a strategy that will surely be of longer-term benefit. However, the development process will take time and Deakin will receive no respite against Lara next Saturday. For its part, Brewers face what amounts to another "mini-final" against Saints. The Brew Crew appears to have a slightly easier run home than Bacchus, but they will need to be near their best to hold a top-four placing.

BALLARAT CITY:  0 4 4 1 6 0 (15) errors 1
DEAKIN:  0 0 0 0 0 0 1 (1) errors 1
SHs: 
Ballarat City:  H Burrows 4, B Bennetts 3, S kerr, N McKenzie, A Irons, D Chetcuti, R Meddick 2, R Hipke 
Deakin:  D Eales, J Harper, A Warren
RBIs: 
Ballarat City:  N McKenzie 3, A Irons, D Chetcuti, R Meddick, B Bennetts 2, S Kerr, H Burrows 
Deakin:  A Warren
Pitching:   
Ballarat City:  R Meddick  5 inn, 1 hit, 5 Ks
                        A Irons 2 inn, 2 hits, 3 Ks
Deakin:  S Talbot 2.3 inn, 7 hits, 3 Ks, 2 BB, 8 ER
                P Kerr-Chapman 2.7 inn, 10 hits, 2 Ks, 1 BB, 5 ER
               B Belfrage  1 inn, 1 hit, 1 K

LARA 2 defeated BACCHUS MARSH 1
Down at Lara, last year's Grand Finalists slugged out an epic, low-scoring contest in which both sides struggled to get runners on.

The home side got up 2-1 in the last innings in a game dominated by the pitchers and defence, notwithstanding a few Wildcats' lapses. Bacchus Marsh scored first, but struggled for any further production against Cameron Forbes and Aaron Green. Tom Shaw was terrific for the Marsh (three hits and one walk over eight digs), with the scores locked at 1-1 into the last frame. By his lofty standards, Shaun Moore struggled in relief, conceding the go-ahead run on a Ross Wilson hit that followed two walks. 

Its loss sees the Tigers dropping to fifth, while the Brewers move into the top four.

While Lara will be condident of its chances against Deakin, Bacchus Marsh faces another danger game against the improving Werribee Giants, who won their last clash under a fortnight ago.

LARA: 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 (2) errors 4
BELLARINE:0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 (1) errors 1 
SHs: 
Lara:  B Hammer, R Wilson, P Pruis, S Forbes
Bacchus Marsh:  L Vicary-Lovegrove, S Moore, E Byrne
RBIs: 
Lara:  B Hammer, R Wilson
Bacchus Marsh:  E Byrne 
Pitching: 
Lara:  C Forbes  8 inn, 3 hits, 5 Ks, 4 BB
           A Green 1 inn, 2 Ks, 1 BB
Bacchus Marsh:  T Shaw 8 inn, 3 hits, 1 K, 1 BB, 1 ER
                              S Moore 1 inn, 1 hit, 2 BBs, 1 ER

WERRIBEE 4 defeated BELLARINE 2
Werribee continued its excellent mid-season form with a 4-2 win over Bellarine in a quality game of baseball. 

Werribee's Jono Lowe and the Bears' Matt Osborn went the distance for their sides in a nine-innings contest decided in just on two hours. Bellarine scored singles in the second and fifth, Werribee plated two in the first and two in the fourth, the first couple on a long Oliver Box shot that had him coming home on an error. Box (3 hits) and Curnow (2 hits) were the standouts in offence for the Giants while seven Bellarine players picked up singles.

The Giants are in sixth and still have a mathematical chance of making the play-offs, although it would require at least six wins from their last eight games. Bellarine appears to be out of contention although they - like Deakin - may have plenty to say in the shaping of the final four.

WERRIBEE:  2 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 (4) errors 3
BELLARINE:  0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 (2) errors 3 
SHs: 
Werribee:  O Box 3, J Curnow 2, W Balzer
Bellarine:  D Visser, W Visser, B McKentish, L Hockey, S Murry, M Osborn, S Osborn
RBIs: 
Werribee:  O Box, W Balzer
Bellarine:  B McKentish, M Osborn
Pitching: 
Werribee:  J Lowe  9 inn, 9 hits, 5 Ks, 2 BB, 1 ER
Bellarine:  M Osborn 8 inn, 6 hits, 3 Ks, 2 BB, 3 ER

JUNE 14/15
ROUND 9

Werribee and Bacchus split doubles: Saints and Lara just: Lions hurt Brewers
East Belmont Saints are still clear on top after a lack-lustre win over Werribee, Guild made the Brewers’ task even more difficult, Lara did just enough against the Bears, while Bacchus Marsh belted Deakin before going under to Werribee in the second of a double-header for both clubs on Sunday.

GUILD 5 defeated BALLARAT BREWERS 1
It not be panic stations just yet, but Brewer management will harbour concerns after their side was never really in the hunt against Guild Lions, who hold second placing despite a Lara win over Bellarine. 

Pat Moulton went the distance for the Lions in one of his better performances for the season. Jack Lindsay had another impressive outing over five for the Brewers, but his side was not able to muster enough offensive output to threaten the Lions in their den.

After Jason Landthaler struck first blow with a two-out RBI in the third, both sides conceded runs on throwing errors. But it was the Lions who had the more dangerous offence, with Moulton complementing his pitching stint with a couple of hits while Ben Jensz and Nick Spence picked up multiples with runners on.

Guild and Saints will face off in a cracker next Saturday, a game vying for match of the round with the Lara/Bacchus Marsh clash at the snakepit. The Brewers will be at home to Deakin in what is clearly a crucial game against an improving young side.

GUILD:  0 0 1 2 0 0 2 (5) errors 4
BALLARAT:  0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 (1) errors 3
SHs:  
Guild:  J Landthaler, B Jensz, N Spence, P Moulton 2, M Miller
Ballarat City:  B Bennetts 2, R Hipke, H Burrows, N McKenzie, L Karslake
RBIs:
Guild:  B Jensz 2, J Landthaler, P Moulton
Pitching:
Guild:  P Moulton 8 inn, 6 hits, 8 Ks, 3 BB
Ballarat City:  J Lindsay  5 inn, 3 hits, 4 Ks, 4 BB, 1 ER
                         A Irons 2 inn, 6 hits, 3 Ks, 1 BB, 1 ER

LARA 2 defeated BELLARINE 1
It looked like it might be a walk in the park for the Wildcats after doing the offensive basics in getting runners on, moving them over and scoring a couple in the first two innings.

However, Simon Murry was pitching well enough to keep the Wildcats honest and – while not at his best – Aaron Green was keeping the Bears in check. So the game remained static until the middle innings, when Murry – the Bears’ Manager - took things into his own hands with a solo shot over the leftfield wall to halve the lead with the Bears doing enough things right to stay in the contest.

With six hits to three in favour of the Wildcats, this game never reached great offensive heights and the contest finished at 2-1, Cameron Forbes snuffing out any hopes of a Bears upset with another fine closing stint. But Clint Lewis and the Wildcats would not be happy with their lack of production and the simple errors that good sides do not – or should not – make.

The Lara side is rolling along, doing enough to keep in the race and trusting that their late season inclusions in Marnell and Holmes will bolster the offence. But there are a few more pieces of the puzzle that need to be put in place before the challenge can be mounted. Next week’s fixture against last year’s grand final foe in Bacchus Marsh will test the claims of both to a berth in the finals.

No details yet available.

SAINTS 3 defeated WERRIBEE 2
While it was not among their more convincing performances for the season, East Belmont Saints did enough to dispense with Werribee and maintain their stranglehold on first placing.

Although Jonathon Lowe did a pretty decent job in holding Saints to two runs over seven digs, the Giants never came to terms with Brad Egan, the big rightie imposing himself over eight digs for eleven strikeouts in a contest that came to life when a two-run Daniel Wilkie hit tied it up in the eighth.

Saints scrambled a run in the equaliser to take a game that could have gone either way. Saints hit safely nine times, Werribee eight – Twaddle, Ernstzen and Ryan being good for Saints and Wilkie, Weldon and Balzer best for the Giants.

While Saints’ credentials will be tested by Guild in their top-of-the-table blockbuster, the in-form Werribee will fancy their chances against the Bears.

SAINTS:  0 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 (3) errors 1
WERRIBEE:  0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 (2) errors 2
SHs:
Saints:  B Twaddle, M Ernstzen 2, M Jeffrey, M Ryan, J Lee, C Rickard, A Mathison
Werribee:  L Weldon 3, D Wilkie, W Balzer 2, M Collins
RBIs:
Saints:  M Ryan 2, A Mathison 1
Werribee:  D Wilkie 2
Pitching:
Saints:  B Egan 8 inn, 7 hits, 11 Ks, 1 BB, 2 ER
               D Barker 1 inn, 1 hit, 1 K
Werribee:  J Lowe 7 inn, 8 hits, 3 Ks, 3 BB, 2 ER
                    R Balzer 1 inn, 1 hit, 2 BB, 1 ER 

BACCHUS MARSH 9 defeated DEAKIN 2
The Blues began with an offensive flurry, losing a runner at third, scoring one and stranding three on base in the first. The Marsh replied with two of their own, another in the second and three in the fourth to take charge of the game. 

Brendan Belfrage did a fair job on the hill for Deakin and Peter Kerr-Chapman held the Tigers in relief - apart from an ugly seventh innings. But the Blues were simply not able, in the end, to produce enough in offence against southpaw James Bailey - who was terrific after a shaky start and was well-supported by Liam Vicary-Lovegrove's closing stint.

The Marsh shared twelve hits throughout their order, while Deakin’s best were Warren with three hits and Kerr-Chapman with a couple.

Holding fourth clearly, Bacchus Marsh will be tested against Lara on Saturday, while Deakin takes on a Brewers’ outfit in “must win” mode at home.

BACCHUS MARSH:  2 1 0 3 0 0 3 0 (9)
DEAKIN:  1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 (2)
SHs:
Bacchus Marsh:  L Vicary-lovegrove, M Jones, S Hornstra, J Bailey 2, B Jones, S Moore, E Byrnes, J Kugele
Deakin:  N Warren 3, P Kerr-Chapman 2, B Belfrage, L Strauch, M Lewis
RBIs:
Bacchus Marsh:  M Jones 3, L Vicary-Lovegrove, B Jones 2
Deakin:  N Warren, T Kerr-Chapman
Pitching:
Bacchus Marsh: J Bailey 6 inn, 4 hits, 4 BB, 1 ER
                                L Vicary-Lovegrove  3inn, 4 hits, 7 Ks, 1 BB
Deakin:  B Belfrage 3.7 inn, 7 hits, 1 K, 4 BB
                P Kerr-Chapman 4.3 inn, 5 hits, 3 Ks, 1 BB
 

WERRIBEE 7 defeated BACCHUS MARSH 6
Down at Werribee on Sunday, the home side jumped the Tigers with four runs in the first, stretching their lead to 7-1 on the back of another superb outing by teenager Daryl George, who went into the eighth for six Ks, 3 hits and one run. 

Good side that they are, though, the Tigers hit back compliments of an "in the park" grand slam by Liam Vicary-Lovegrove among their five runs in the eighth. But the Giants had just enough in the tank to hang on for a well-deserved 7-6 win in the second of a weekend double-header for both clubs.

Werribee has been playing some quality baseball and this was not by any means an upset. While Saints have stolen a march at the top of the table, competition is still intense for finals berths with even the Giants – now sixth – not mathematically out of contention.

WERRIBEE:  4 0 1 0 0 2 0 0 (7) errors 3
BACCHUS MARSH:  0 0 0 0 0 1 0 5 0 (6) errors 4
SHs: 
Werribee:  J Lowe, L Weldon, O Box, J Curnow 2, D Wilkie, W Balzer, S Riches
Bacchus Marsh:  J Bailey 2, B Jones, L Vicary-Lovegrove, K Carter
RBIs:  
Werribee:  J Lowe, O Box, J Curnow
Bacchus Marsh:   L Vicary-Lovegrove 4, J Bailey
Pitching:  
Werribee:  D George 7 inn, 3 hits, 6 Ks, 1 BB, 2 ER
                   C Knight 2 inn, 2 hits, 1 K, 2 ER
Bacchus Marsh:  T Shaw 3 inn, 6 hits, 4 Ks, 3 ER
                              S Moore 5 inn, 5 hits, 2 Ks, 1 ER

MAY 31/JUNE 1
ROUND 8

Saints march on: Guild moves to second after Round 8
The GBA winter competition is at a fascinating stage heading to the Queen’s Birthday Weekend break. East Belmont Saints have stolen a break at the top of the table, Guild has moved to second, Brewers are challenging Bacchus Marsh for fourth, while Bellarine, Deakin and Werribee are still not out of contention. 

SAINTS 5 defeated LARA 3
Saints proved their credentials with a come-from-behind win over the triple reigning premier in a thrilling clash between fierce rivals.

With Saints ace Dean Barker getting the hook in a three-run first dig, things looked bleak for the league leaders – especially with Lara’s Cameron Forbes dominating from the hill as his side maintained a clear break. 

But with their prospects not looking too flash, Saints staged a comeback of serious proportions on the back of a superb solo performance by Josh Lee, who held the Wildcats scoreless after the initial blast while himself picking up three hits.

Again showing offensive form throughout the order, Saints scrambled two in the top of eight and another couple in nine – compliments of some Matt Ryan hitting magic – to pinch the game from the Wildcats, who drop to third with Guild beating Werribee.

LARA:  3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (3) errors 2 
SAINTS:  0 0 0 1 0 00  2 (5) errors 1
SHs: 
Lara:  S Forbes 2, R Wilson, C Forbes, C Brown, P Pruis
Saints:  J Lee 3, M Ernstzen, M Ryan, L Poulter 2, M Jeffrey, M Alldis, B Egan 
RBIs:
Lara:  C Brown 
Saints:  M Ryan 2, J Lee, L Poulter
Pitching:
Lara:  C Forbes 6 inn, 6 hits, 5 Ks, 1 BB, 1 ER
           A Green 3 inn, 6 hits, 2 BB, 2 ER
Saints:  D Barker 0.3 inn, 2 hits, 1 K, 2 BB, 3 ER
              J Lee 6.7 inn, 4 hits, 8 Ks, 2 BB
              B Egan 1 inn, 2 Ks, 1 BB

GUILD 4 defeated WERRIBEE 2
Guild started positively with a Nick Spence single scoring two, followed up by another couple in the third as Stuart Barnes settled into some solid work. 

In a game marred by defensive lapses, Werribee’s Craig Knight caused some issues for the young Lions with his range of pitching offerings, but the Giants struggled to muster production in offence, the club’s achilles heel thus far this season. 

Ben Jensz (four hits), Dean Jones (three) and Nick Spence (two RBIs) were the standout hitters for Guild, who will be keen to hold second placing, with a tough one to come against the Brewers after the Carnival weekend.

WERRIBEE:  1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 (2) errors 3
GUILD:  2 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 (4) errors 5
SHs:
Werribee:  D George 2, L Weldon, D Wilkie, W Balzer, J Kreihn
Guild:  B Jensz 4, D Jones 3, R Darcy 2, J Landthaler, N Spence
RBIs:
Werribee:  O Box
Guild:  D Jones 
Pitching:
Werribee:  C Knight 3.3 inn, 5 hits 
                   D Wilkie 0.7 inn, 1 BB
                  J Lowe 5 inn, 6 hits, 1 K, 2 BBs, 1 ER
Guild:  S Barnes  7 inn, 6 hits, 3 Ks
            P Moulton 2 inn, 1 K

BELLARINE 11 defeated DEAKIN 7
In what turned into a rugged game for pitchers, Bellarine jumped Sean Talbot with five in the first. Deakin answered with three of its own but was never really in the hunt as Matt Osborn took control in the middle innings for the Bears. 

Both sides hit safely eleven times, with Lyndon Hockey, Wayne Visser and the returning Adam O’Keefe doing the damage for the Bears, while Talbot, Warren, Harper and Kerr-Chapman both picked up two hits for the Blues.

Facing a serious deficit after the sixth innings, Deakin fought the game out doggedly to score late runs in support of another solid outing by Brendan Belfrage in relief. 

BELLARINE:  5 0 1 0 0 2 0 3 (11) errors 2
DEAKIN:  3 0 0 0 0 1 0 3 (7) errors 3
SHs:
Bellarine:  L Hockey, W Visser, A O’Keefe 2, B McKentish, S Murry, S Osborn, M Osborn, J Crotty 
Deakin:  S Talbot,N Warren, J Harper, T Kerr-Chapman 2, B Belfrage, M Lewis, M Bouma 
Pitching:
Bellarine:  M Osborn 6 inn, 7 hits, 4 Ks, 1 BB, 1 ER
                   S Murry  2 inn, 4 hits, 1 K, 1 BB, 3 ER
Deakin:  S Talbot 1.2 inn, 6 hits, 3 Ks, 4 BB, 8 ER
                B Belfrage 5.2 inn, 5 hits, 3 Ks, 2 BB, 2 ER

BREWERS 2 defeated BACCHUS MARSH 1
Ballarat Brewers have drawn level in fourth placing on Match Ratio with the Marsh, who have a significantly better run percentage despite their weekend loss. 

The game developed into a classic pitchers’ duel, with the Brewers’ Jack Lindsay holding his former club scoreless over five and Ross Hipke his miserly self in relief - notwithstanding a run conceded on three Tigers’ hits in the eighth. Tom Shaw took the Tigers well into the eighth with another superb outing.

The Brewers have found some hitting form, though, and they kept the pressure on by getting a number of runners in scoring positions. Bennetts, McKenzie, Hipke and Kerr were ever-dangerous with the bat for the Brewers, while Shaun Moore, Brad Jones and Earl Byrne flew the flag in a more sedate Tigers’ offence.

BALLARAT BREWERS:  0 0 0 1 0 0 01 (2) no errors
BACCHUS MARSH:  0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 (1) errors 2
SHs:
Ballarat City:  R Hipke, S Kerr, B Bennetts 2, H Burrows, N McKenzie
Bacchus Marsh:  B Jones, L Vicary-Lovegrove 2, S Moore, E Byrne
RBIs:
Ballarat City:  S Kerr, N McKenzie
Bacchus Marsh:  E Byrne
Pitching:
Ballarat City:  J Lindsay 5 inn, 2 hits, 8 Ks, 2 BB
                        R Hipke 4 inn, 4 hits, 8 Ks
Bacchus Marsh:  T Shaw 7.3 inn, 6 hits, 4 Ks, 1 BB, 2 ER
                               L Vicary-Lovegrove 0.7 inn, 2 hits, 2 Ks

LARA 7 defeated DEAKIN 4
Weekend double-headers are a tough gig at any time, and it was a credit to both clubs that they fought out a tight, exciting contest after both lost on the Saturday.

Deakin Manager Craig Malthouse showed the way for his young charges by heading to the hill for an outing that yielded sixteen hits, but which was supported by a fired-up Deakin offence that turned a series of double plays in dangerous situations.

In the end it was Lara’s greater class and hitting depth that made the difference between the sides, although the Blues are losing no friends with their enthusiastic and spirited play. Stuart Forbes picked up four hits for Lara, Green and Pruis both three, while youngsters Brendan Belfrage and Darcy Eales continue to impress for the Blues.

DEAKIN:  0 0 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 (4) errors 4
LARA:  1 0 0 0 1 0 1 3 1 (7) errors 1
SHs:
Deakin:  B Belfrage 3, D Eales 2, S Talbot, N Warren, P Kerr-Chapman, A Warren
Lara:  S Forbes 4, A Green, P Pruis 3, C Forbes, S Wilson 2, R Wilson, C Brown, L Arandt, T Arandt, N Holmes
Pitching:
Deakin:  C Malthouse 7.3 inn, 16 hits, 2 Ks, 4 BB, 4 ER
               P Kerr-Chapman 1.7 inn, 3 hits, 1 K, 1 BB, 1 ER
Lara:  J Lester 5 inn, 9 hits, 5 Ks, 2 BB, 2 ER
          R Wilson  4 inn, 1 hit, 2 Ks, 1 BB

MAY 24/25
ROUND 7
Saints tame Wildcats in match of round: Guild challenges for second
Just seven weeks into the season, we may already have seen an A Grade Grand Final “preview” for 2008. While it's all happening for the glamour sides in Saints and Lara, though, there are others who will have plenty to say in the shaping of the finals series. The Guild tyros are playing a terrific brand of baseball, Bacchus Marsh are always a tough ask and the Brewers are on the improve, while Deakin, Werribee and Bellarine will win their share.

SAINTS 6 defeated LARA WILDCATS 4
Saints and Lara slugged out a thriller at Pioneer Park on Sunday, with the home side coming home with a rush to blast three runs in the eighth for a 6-4 win in a game that had just about everything.

In front of a large crowd (including some local football identity looking for tips on how to win), the sides went head and head with neither able to gain a break until the late Saints surge. Brad Egan and Aaron Green were equally impressive for their clubs (both may have been left in a fraction too long - but that's baseball, folks). Several double plays were turned. Both offences were superb, with the ball being hit cleanly and the outfielders surely earning their weekend pay cheques (they’re in the mail).

Now at nine and one, Saints have assumed flag favouritism, with Guild marginally adrift of Lara, who went winless for the weekend after a split result with Guild on Saturday. The vagaries of the draw have Saints meeting the Wildcats again next Saturday in what should be another blockbuster. Regardless of the outcome of that match, the Wildcats have some big names to come back - in the form of Holmes, Marnell, Hammer and Ricketts - and they might not be quite at their best for a few weeks yet.

SAINTS:  0 0 2 0 0 1 0 3 (6) errors 1
LARA:  0 0 0 2 1 0 1 0 0 (4) no errors
SHs:
Saints:  M Ernstzen, M Ryan, M Alldis, J Lee, L Poulter 2, B Twaddle
Lara:  C Forbes 3, R Wilson, C Brown, 2, S Forbes, A Green, S Wilson, P Pruis
RBIs:
Saints:  J Lee 3, M Ernstzen 2, C Rickard
Lara:  C Forbes, S Wilson, C Brown, P Pruis
Pitching:
Saints:  B Egan 7 inn, 10 hits, 4 Ks, 3 BB, 4 ER
               J Lee  2 inn, 1 hit, 3 Ks, 2 BB
Lara:  A Green 7 inn, 11 hit, 1 K, 3 BB, 6 ER
            R Wilson  1 inn

BALLARAT BREWERS 6 defeated WERRIBEE 3
Although it may not have been in the most convincing fashion, Ballarat Brewers took the points with a dogged 6-3 win over Werribee Giants.

Werribee 15 year-old Daryl George was so so close to heading an upset of some proportions as he went five innings for three runs, one of those an infield "hit" that really should have been converted to an out.

The Giants held the lead momentarily after plating two in the second, but failed to come to terms with an Irons and Hipke tandem act on the hill for the Brewers. With the Brewers leading 4-3 in the eighth, the game  looked like going into a heart-stopping ninth dig until the Giants had an attack of the fumbles to concede a pair of runs that sealed it for the Brew Crew

While the Giants will continue to trouble a number of sides, the Brewers would be feeling on better terms with themselves in picking up a crucial win and seeing Rory Meddick throw his first three digs - at serious velocity - in the Reserves game.

BALLARAT CITY:  1 0 1 0 1 0 1 2 (6) errors 4
WERRIBEE:  0 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 (3) errors 4
SHs:
Ballarat City:  A Irons, R Hipke, S Kerr, N McKenzie, J Lindsay, B Bennetts
Werribee:  S Riches, O Box, D Wilkie, J Lowe, S Copland, D George, M Collins, W Balzer
RBIs:
Ballarat City:  A Irons, R Hipke, S Kerr, P Gladman, H Burrows
Werribee:  S Riches, O Box, M Collins
Pitching:
Ballarat City:  A Irons 5 inn, 6 hits, 8 Ks, 2 BB, 2 ER
                        R Hipke 3 inn, 2 hits, 5 Ks
Werribee:  D George 5 inn, 6 hits, 7 Ks, 1 BB, 3 ER
                   J Lowe 3 inn, 1 K, 1 BB, 1 ER

LARA 3 drew with GUILD LIONS 3
In a classic pitchers’ duel, Pat Moulton went head to head with Cameron Forbes and the spoils were shared. Both pitchers worked well in the early stages of the game, giving the hitters for both teams little opportunity.

With two out in the third, a Cam Forbes hit down the first base line just eluded a diving Nick Spence to score two runs for Lara. Guild responded immediately to score a couple of their own after hard hit ground balls by Adam Barnes and Jason Landthaler could not be handled by the Lara defence.

Guild tacked on a third after some good team hitting moved the whippet Barnes from second to third. He scored on a shallow fly to rightfield and the Lions were set to take the points.

Lara cobbled together a run in the sixth inning and were able to hold off the Guild lineup, who continued to pressure the Wildcats defence but could not plate the winning run in the bottom of the last inning

GUILD:  0 0 2 1 0 0 0 (3) no errors
LARA: 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 (3) errors 2
SHs:
Guild:  D Jones, B Jensz, N Spence, C Lyons
Lara:  A Green, R Wilson 2, C Forbes, S Wilson, P Pruis, T Arandt
RBIs:
Guild:  R Darcy, D Jones, B Jensz
Lara:  C Forbes 2, L Arandt
Pitching:
Guild:  P Moulton 7 inn, 8 hits, 3 Ks, 2 BB, 3 ER
Lara:  C Forbes 7 inn, 4 hits, 5 Ks, 3 BB, 2 ER

GUILD 8 defeated BELLARINE 0
Starting on the hill, Stuart Barnes was superb in conceding only one hit in his six innings of work for the Lions. In contrast, Bellarine starter Dave Crotty struggled for control and walked a run across the plate on the first inning before the Guild hitters took to him and plated another three in the second and one in the third.

Wayne Visser replaced Crotty and he too was taken to by the Lions’ hitters, who established a comfortable 8-0 lead that enabled them to go into “snooze mode” for the rest of the game.

Jason Landthaler threw two solid innings in relief for Guild and Nick Spence slammed the door in the last. Mitch Miller had a day out with the bat, smacking the ball hard in his first three plate appearances and Ryan Darcy continued to ”hit them where they ain’t” as the leadoff.

For its part, Bellarine struggled with pitching depth for the double-header, although the club has some serious batting power and can be expected to trouble a number of sides.

GUILD: 1 3 1 3 (8) errors 3
BELLARINE: 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (0) errors 2
SHs:
Guild:  R Darcy, J Landthaler 3, D Jones, C Lyons, M Miller 2, B Jensz, C Harper
Bellarine:  B McKentish, L Hockey, L Blake
RBIs:
Guild:  D Jones, C Lyons, M Miller 2, B Jensz, N Spence
Pitching:
Guild:  S Barnes 6 inn, 2 hits, 3 Ks, 1 BB
            J Landthaler 2 inn, 2 hits, 3 K
            N Spence 1 inn, 1 K
Bellarine:  D Crotty 4 inn, 10 hits, 3 Ks, 3 BB, 5 ER
                   W Visser  2 inn, 2 hits
                   S Murry 2 inn, 2 hits

SAINTS 10 defeated DEAKIN 0
The youthful Deakin Blues have been playing some great baseball of late, but they hit a brick wall on Saturday in the form of southpaw Dean Barker at his very best. For the second week running, the sometimes wayward Barker issued a solitary walk, this time fanning six and scattering four Blues hits.

All up, Deakin had six runners on base to Saints nineteen. Ernstzen, Lee and Mathieson were best in offence for the Sainters, although eight of the starting nine each had an RBI. A purple patch indeed for the league-leading Saints, who have scored twenty-five runs in their last three games.

Deakin will fancy their chances against Bellarine in what should be a close contest between a developing squad and the older Bears heads, who will be equally desperate for a win.

DEAKIN: 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (0) errors 1
SAINTS: 1 0 0 5 3 1 (10) errors 1
SHs:
Deakin:  L Strauch 2, J Harper, M Lewis
Saints:  M Ernstzen, J Lee, A Mathieson 2, B Twaddle, M Ryan, C Rickard, A Hoe
RBIs:
Saints:  A Hoe 2, B Twaddle, M Jeffery, M Ryan, J Lee, L Poulter, C Rickard, A Mathieson
Pitching:
Deakin:  B Belfrage 4 inn, 6 hits, 1 K, 3 BB, 6 ER
S Talbot 3 inn, 4 hits, 2 Ks, 2 BB, 3 ER
Saints:  D Barker 7 inn, 4 hits, 6 Ks, 1 BB 

BACCHUS MARSH 8 defeated BELLARINE 1
Bacchus Marsh holds fourth placing ahead of Ballarat Brewers with a comfortable 8-1 win over Bellarine on Saturday. 

Although the Marsh is not quite the club that it was last year, it still has the playing personnel to guarantee that it will be around the action.

Next Saturday’s clash with the Brewers, in Ballarat, is pivotal to the aspirations of both clubs as winter baseball heads to the Queen’s Birthday break.

NO DETAILS AVAILABLE AT TIME OF POSTING

MAY 17/18
ROUND 6
Saints and Lara still head table: Guild errorless behind Stuart Barnes outing
Saints and Lara strengthened their hold at the top of the table, Guild shook off Deakin in a quality contest while the hot and cold Brewers split their double-header to remain just adrift of the leading group after Round 6. Next weekend will see four teams drawn double-headers in what should be perfect baseball conditions. 

Three of them - Saints, Lara and Guild - have the chance to ensconce themselves even further in the leading group, while Bellarine is quite capable of challenging Bacchus Marsh and Guild in its weekend assignments. With the competition still in an embryonic stage, it is clear that that a lengthened season has been the real winner, as clubs are playing more baseball and are having to approach their strategy and team selections with a greater degree of thought. 

SAINTS 9 defeated BREWERS 3
Backing up from a gutsy Saturday win, the league-leading Sainters (seven and one) crushed a lethargic Brewers outfit 9-3 on the sabbath, in a game that offered a great deal but delivered little as a contest after Saints smacked three in the fifth.

While Adam Irons was his usual steady self over six, the Brewers struggled in offence against Dean Barker, who scattered five hits into the ninth with an impressive outing that included just one pass and one HPB in greasy conditions. 

By contrast, Saints produced some ominous offensive form after Irons fanned six of the first nine hitters, highlighted by a three run Matt Ryan bomb in the seventh and valuable contributions by Ernstzen, Poulter, Lee and Jeffery. Ryan's four RBIs were pivotal in this contest, evidence of his value to a balanced and skilled outfit that is going to be tough to beat in 2008.

BALLARAT CITY:  0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 (3) errors 2
SAINTS:  0 0 0 0 3 0 3 3 0 (9) errors 3
SHs:
Ballarat City:  A Irons, S Kerr, N McKenzie, J Lindsay, D Chetcuti, B Bennetts
Saints:  M Ernstzen, M Jeffery, L Poulter 2, M Ryan, C Rickard, J Lee, A Matheson
RBIs:
Ballarat City:  R Hipke, D Chetcuti, B Bennetts
Saints:  M Ryan 4, M Jeffery 2, B Twaddle, M Ernstzen, A Matheson
Pitching:
Ballarat City:  A Irons 6 inn, 3 hits, 9 Ks, 4 BB, 1 ER
                          J Lindsay 3 inn, 7 hits, 6 Ks, 4 ER
Saints:  D Barker 8.3 inn, 5 hits, 5 Ks, 1 BB, 3 ER
               M Alldis 0.7 inn 1 inn, 1 K

LARA 6 defeated WERRIBEE 2
Buoyed by a strong outing from Cameron Forbes (six scoreless innings for twelve strike-outs), Lara rolled Werribee 6-2 to hold second placing behind Saints.

After two in the first, the Wildcats struggled to impose themselves on their close neighbour as Craig Knight's off-speed offerings caused some issues and Daryl George conjured up another serviceable performance for a sole earned run over four.

Although his relief effort may not have been his most impressive for the season, Aaron Green was again among the hits to underscore his value to the club, while Stephen Wilson's two RBIs were crucial for the Wildcats.

While Lara is on track for a tilt at a fourth consecutive flag, Werribee has developed into a competitive unit that will fancy its chances against the Brewers on Saturday.

WERRIBEE:  0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 (2) errors 1
LARA:  2 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 (6) errors 3
SHs:
Werribee:  L Weldon, O Box, J Curnow, D Wilkie, J Lowe, M Collins, D George
Lara:  A Green 2, S Forbes, R Wilson, C Forbes, S Wilson, D Ricketts, C Lewis
RBIs:
Werribee:  D Wilkie, D George
Lara:  S Wilson 2, P Pruis
Pitching:
Werribee:  C Knight 5 inn, 7 hits, 1 K, 2 BB, 3 ER
                   D George 4 inn, 1 hit, 5 Ks, 1 BB, 1 ER
Lara:  C Forbes 6 inn, 3 hits, 12 Ks
           A Green 3 inn, 4 hits, 1 K, 2 BB, 2 ER

GUILD 5 defeated DEAKIN 0 
The Lions and Blues played out a quality contest that saw neither side score until Guild's single in the bottom of the seventh. A further four in the eighth made the final margin comfortable, although Deakin would be well pleased with the enthusiasm and spirit of its young squad.

Nathan Warren had a great game at third for the Blues, Jacob Harper picked up a couple of hits, while Manager Craig Malthouse showed the way with four interesting innings on the hill before injury. For Guild, Stuart Barnes was terrific in going eight for a handful of hits and Mitch Miller picked up two RBIs from his two hits.

Holding third, Guild will be confident of its prospects, next week, against Lara – who will be without Dale Ricketts but are expected to suit up a former professional well-known in Victorian baseball circles. For its part, Deakin faces Saints in what should be a ripper.

GUILD:  0 0 0 0 0 0 1 4 (5) errors 0
DEAKIN:  0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (0) errors 2
SHs:
Guild:  M Miller 2, J Landthaler, D Jones, N Spence, A Barnes
Deakin:  J Harper 2, S Talbot, N Warren, C Malthouse
RBIs:
Guild:  J Landthaler, M Miller 2, C Lyons
Pitching:
Guild:  S Barnes 8 inn, 4 hits, 8 Ks, 1 BB
            N Spence 1 inn, 1 hit, 1 K, 1 BB
Deakin:  C Malthouse 4 inn, 3 hits, 2 Ks, 1 BB
               S Talbot 3.3 inn, 2 hits, 4 BB, 4 ER
               B Belfrage 0.7 inn, 1 hit, 1 BB

BREWERS 11 defeated BELLARINE 4
Ballarat Brewers smacked Bellarine 11-4 in chilly conditions at the otherwise salubriousWallington Reserve on Saturday, with Ross Hipke throwing his first nine-innings game in his senior career for the visitors.

Hipke scattered seven hits for the Brewers, who jumped all over Dave Crotty to hold a 9 zip lead after four. With three RBIs, Scott Kerr was an offensive star for the Brewers, with the Bears scrambling three in the last to give the final scoreline some respectability.

Wayne Visser and Matt Osborn were dangerous with the bat for Bellarine, but a team total of seven (six?) to the Brewers’ seventeen hits tells the tale of this game. At least seven (or six) to seventeen appears to be the outcome based on pitching stats, although the numbers as produced below seem to show some discrepancies (ah, well, it was cold for the scorers at Wallington!).  

BELLARINE:  0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 3 (4) errors 3
BALLARAT CITY:  0 0 4 5 0 1 0 0 1 (11) errors 3
SHs:
Bellarine:  W Visser 2, B McKentish, L Hockey, S Murry, M Osborn, J Crotty
Ballarat City:  S Kerr, A Irons, R Hipke, H Burrows, N McKenzie, R Meddick, B Bennetts, L Karslake
RBIs:
Bellarine:  M Osborn 2
Ballarat City:  S Kerr 3, A Irons, R Hipke
Pitching:
Bellarine:  D Crotty 3.3 inn, 9 hits, 2 Ks, 1 BB, 7 ER
                   S Murry 2.7 inn, 5 hits, 1 BB, 1 ER
                   W Visser  3 inn, 3 Hits, 1 K, 2 BB
Ballarat City:  R Hipke 9 inn, 6 hits, 12 Ks, 2 ER

SAINTS 3 defeated BACCHUS MARSH 2
There was nothing in this contest, with the pitchers on top and neither side able to establish a clear break. Down by one into the seventh, some timely Saints hitting gave them the lead.

Starters in Brad Egan (Saints) and Tom Shaw (Bacchus) were both superb for their clubs. Josh Lee finished strongly for Saints, while the reliable Shaun Moore had some late control issues for the Marsh. 

Poulter, Lee and Alldis were best with the bat for Saints, while Brad Jones and Chad Galloway picked up a couple of hits each for the Marsh, who are clinging to fourth and will be eager for a win against Bellarine on Saturday.

SAINTS:  1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 (3) errors 2
BACCHUS MARSH: 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 (2) errors 1
SHs:
Saints: L Poulter 2, M Ernstzen, M Jeffery, M Alldis, J Lee
Bacchus Marsh:  B Jones, C Galloway 2, S Moore, E Byrne, S Hornstra
RBIs:
Saints:  J Lee 2, M Alldis
Bacchus Marsh:  S Moore, S Hornstra
Pitching:
Saints:  B Egan 6 inn, 5 hits, 8 Ks, 2 BB, 2 ER
              J Lee 3 inn, 2 hits, 4 Ks, 2 BB
Bacchus Marsh:  T Shaw  5 inn, 3 hits, 1 K, 1 BB, 1 ER
                              S Moore 3 inn, 3 hits, 2 Ks, 3 BB, 2 ER

MAY 10/11
ROUND 5

Lara/Brewers split caps magic round of games 

A 1-1 draw, and three one-run results with no side scoring more than five runs augurs well for the remainder of the season. After Round 5, no club has established a clear ascendancy, and any one can beat any other on its day!

BALLARAT BREWERS 1 drew with LARA 1
A drawn result was a fitting outcome for a classic pitchers' duel at Prince of Wales Reserve.

Lara's Aaron Green and Brewer Ross Hipke were superb over six hard-fought digs each, with the fired-up Brewers scoring in the bottom of one and the Wildcats not plating a run until the top of six. There was a stark difference in pitching styles, with Hipke picking up ten Ks to Green's nil - yet the latter scattered just five hits over a stint featuring great control and variation. 

Both sides had their chances as strategy and "small ball" became the order of the day in an uncompromising and sometimes heated contest between two fierce rivals of the past few seasons. The closers in Adam Irons (Brewers) and Cameron Forbes (Lara) were not too shabby either - both showing poise under intense pressure with bags loaded in the late innings.

Stuart Forbes, Green, Ross Wilson and Cameron Forbes were all among the hits for the visitors, while Scott Kerr picked up three of the Brewers' eight hits.

While both sides played tight defence - notwithstanding a couple of Brewer fumbles - Lara's Cameron Brown was a shining light in making a series of stunning outs from the hot corner.

Lara is looking strong in second place, while the sixth-placed Brewers face a season-defining double-header against the Bears and Saints next weekend. 

LARA: 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 (1) 0 errors
BALLARAT CITY: 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (1) 3 errors
SH:
Lara: S Forbes 2, A Green 2, R Wilson 2, C Forbes 2, D Ricketts 1 
Ballarat: S Kerr 3, P Gladman 1, R Hipke 1, A Irons 1, B Bennetts 1, D Chetcuti 1 
RBI:
Lara: C Forbes 1
Ballarat: Nil
Pitching:
Lara: A Green: 6 Inn 5 Hits, 0 Ks, 2 BB, 1 HPB, 0 er
          C Forbes: 2 inn, 3 hits, 3 Ks, 0 BB, 0 er 
Ballarat: R Hipke: 6 Inn, 7 Hits, 10 Ks, 0 BB, 1 er
               A Irons: 2 inn, 2 hits, 3 Ks, 1 BB, 0 er

SAINTS 2 defeated BELLARINE 1
For the second week running, league-leading East Belmont Saints came up with a 2-1 win, this time over Bellarine Bears, who were terrific in defence and had a chance to snatch the game in the last dig but stranded three runners on base in an electrifying last innings snuffed out as Dean Barker fanned the final hitter.

Superb over seven digs and productive with the bat, Brad Egan was a star for East Belmont, the Sainters struggling to score against Dave Crotty, who put in a terrific eight-innings stint for the Bears. Egan's scoreless seven innings outing for three hits was a terrific showing for his new club - who, with Barker, Ryan and Lee, have a quality pitching roster at their disposal.

Still heading the table, Saints face a tough double-header (Bacchus Marsh and Bellarine) in what looms as a telling round of matches next weekend. With their pitching depth, Saints have a real chance to steal a break.

BELLARINE: 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 (1)
SAINTS: 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 (2) 1 error 
SH:
Bellarine: L Hockey 1, S Murry 2, M Osborn 1, N Paul 1
Saints: B Twaddle 2, M Ernstzen 2, M Jeffery 1, C Rickard 2, L Poulter 1, B Egan 1
RBI:
Bellarine: S Osborn 1
Saints: M Jeffery 1, B Egan 1
Pitching:
Bellarine: D Crotty: 8 Inn, 7 hits, 6 Ks, 5 BB, 2 er
                  S Murry: 1 inn, 2 hits, 0 Ks, 0 BB, 0 er
Saints: B Egan: 7 inn, 3 hits, 7 Ks, 1 BB, 0 er
             M Ryan: 1.2 inn, 2 hits, 5 Ks 2 BB, 1 er
             D Barker: 0.1inn, 0 hits, 1 k, 0 bb, 0 er

BACCHUS MARSH 2 defeated GUILD LIONS 1
It was equally tense down at Masons Lane, where the Tigers recorded a crucial 2-1 home victory against the Guild Lions, who share third placing with the Tigers on percentage.

Class acts in Pat Moulton (Guild) and Shaun Moore (Tigers) were impressive for their respective sides in a game that was decided in the bottom of nine when the Marsh scrambled the equaliser and Vicary-Lovegrove drove in the go-ahead run for the excitable Tigers. 

With eleven hits and three passes, Guild would be disappointed that they were not able to extend their lead through the middle innings. Landthaler, Jensz and Moulton all picked up a couple of hits, while Byrne and Vicary-Lovegrove were best with the bat for Bacchus. 

Currently vying for third and fourth, both sides face tough assignments next week as the Tigers trek to Pioneer and the Lions take on Deakin at the stadium.

BACCHUS MARSH: 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 (2) 2 errors
GUILD: 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 (1) 1 error 
SH:
Bacchus Marsh: B Jones 1, L Vicary-Lovegrove 2, S Moore 1, C Galloway 1, E Byrne 2
Guild: J Lanthaler 2, R Darcy 1, D Jones 1, B Jensz 2, C Lyons 1, P Moulton 2, M Miller 1, C Harper 1. 
RBIs:
Bacchus Marsh: L Vicary-Lovegrove 1
Guild: Nil
Pitching:
Bacchus Marsh: S Moore, 9 inn, 11 hits, 5 Ks, 2 BB, 1 HPB, 0 ER
Guild: P Moulton: 8.1 Inn, 7 hits, 6 Ks, 3 BB, 2 HPB, 2 ER

DEAKIN 5 defeated WERRIBEE 4
To complete a remarkable round of close contests in A Grade, Deakin Blues scored their third win of the season by pipping Werribee 5-4.

Player of the match Sean Talbot starred for the Blues on the hill and with the bat, smacking a two-run bomb among his three hits whilst going the eight innings played. Daryl George started well for the Giants, who outhit the Blues 8 to 7 but couldn't quite string them together and became a little rattled when it mattered. To their credit, the Giants came back strongly from an early deficit to hold the Blues and force a tight finish. 

Welden (2 hits), Simon Riches (2 hits) and Box (2 RBIs) were dangerous for the Giants, who face the acid test against Lara next Sunday. Now fifth – but with a poor percentage – Deakin faces Guild in a match of huge import to both clubs.

DEAKIN: 1 0 2 2 0 0 0 (5) 2 errors
WERRIBEE: 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 1 (4) 4 errors 
SH:
Deakin: S Talbot 3 (HR), N Warren 1, P Kerr Chapman 1, B Belfrage 1, M Lewis 1
Werribee: S Riches 2, L Welden 2, O Box 1, J Lowe 1, D George 1, W Balzer 1
RBIs:
Deakin: S Talbot 2, P Kerr Chapman 1 
Werribee: O Box 2, L Weldon 1, W Balzer 1 
Pitching:
Deakin: S Talbot: 8 inn, 8 hits, 6 Ks, 4 BB, 1 HPB, 3 ER
Werribee: D George: 4 Inn, 5 Hits, 5 Ks, 3 BB, 3 ER
C Knight: 2.2 Inn, 2 hits, 1 K, 1 BB, 1 HPB, 0 ER
J Lowe: 0.1 Inn, 0 Hits, 0 Ks, 0 BB, 0 ER

Scores. Ladders.

MAY 3/4
ROUND 4

Saints down Brewers: Giants upset Tigers: Guild and Lara too strong
Four weeks into GBA winter, the A Grade competition could not be at a more interesting stage, with all clubs having won at least two games and all providing their supporters with hopes for successful playing seasons. Werribee’s upset win over last years’s runner-up Bacchus Marsh vindicates the Giants’ decision to step up to A Grade this season; Ballarat Brewers have lost three of their past four and are seeming to rely too much on too few; Saints head the table and are looking the real deal; Lara are in an ominously similar position to where they were this time last year; the Guild offence is averaging eight runs per game thus far; while Deakin and Bellarine have both won a couple to round out a tight eight-club competition. 

GUILD 12 defeated BELLARINE 1
Continuing on with their offensive form, Guild Lions were quiet for the first couple against Bellarine, but then launched a barrage that produced two in the fourth, seven in the fifth and a further three runs in the sixth to force a “mercy rule” call over the Bears, who were not able to replicate their heroics of last week behind David Crotty.

Adam Barnes, Dean Jones and Nick Spence continued their great output with the stick for Guild, especially with runners in scoring position. Wayne Visser was the best for the Bears, who struggled to come to terms with southpaw Pat Moulton, as he went seven for twelve strike outs and five hits.

Not the greatest defensive spectacle, with both sides making fielding errors – far more costly, though, from the Bears’ perspective.

Now holding third, Guild will be looking to consolidate its position over the Marsh at Mason’s Lane on Saturday, although the Tigers have been stung by recent losses and will be primed for a dead-set catfight against their feline counterparts.    

GUILD:  0 0 0 2 7 3 (12) errors 2
BELLARINE:  0 0 0 0 0 1 0 (1) errors 3
SHs:
Guild:  A Barnes 3, D Jones, N Spence 2, R Darcy, P Moulton
Bellarine:  W Visser 2, B McKentish, L Hockey, D Crotty
RBIs:
Guild:  N Spence, A Barnes 3, D Jones, B Jensz, C Lyons, P Moulton
Bellarine:  L Hockey
Pitching:
Guild:  P Moulton 7 inn, 5 hits, 12 Ks, 1 ER
Bellarine:  D Crotty  5 inn, 6 hits, 1 K, 4 BB, 4 ER
S Murry 1 inn, 3 hits, 1 BB, 3 ER

LARA 10 defeated DEAKIN 0
Much like Old Man River, those Wildcats just keep “rolling along”. And they don't seem to get sick of trying. So it would be a brave person indeed who might punt against them being well amongst the action in September.

Deakin has won a couple and was showing some pretty decent form – especially when pasting the Brewers a week ago. There will be more wins to come for the youthful Blues, who will incur the occasional blow-out as they strengthen their game and their skills base under the tutelage of the wily Craig Malthouse.

The Wildcats are a quality club, with a recent culture of playing success. While they may currently lack the playing depth of previous years, they have a number of players who have stepped up. Aaron Green has been fantastic on the hill, hurling another quality five dig shutout on Saturday. Cameron Forbes had a breather over the summer months and may well be throwing harder than he has for some time. The Wilson brothers and Cameron Brown have been starring during the early games, Stuart Forbes is a class act and Ricketts has a cannon behind the dish.

Sean Talbot was untouchable against the Brewers, but did not quite have "the stuff" against Lara this time. This happens with young, developing players. Deakin is fortunate to be blessed with plenty of them. Darcy Eales was brilliant in a losing side on Saturday, Belfrage has had some superb pitching outings and the Blues have plenty to look forward to after this serious reality check against the triple reigning premier.   

LARA:  0 2 1 0 2 5 0 (10) errors 1
DEAKIN:  0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (0) errors 3
SHs:
Lara:  R Wilson, S Wilson, C Brown 2, S Forbes, C Forbes, D Ricketts 
Deakin:  M Bouma 2, D Eales, J Harper
RBIs:
Lara:  R Wilson, S Wilson, C Brown 2, D Ricketts
Pitching:
Deakin:  S Talbot 5.3 inn, 7 hits, 6 Ks, 4 BB, 7 ER’
B Belfrage 1.3 inn, 2 hits
Lara:  A Green 5 inn, 4 Hits, 1 K, 1 BB
C Forbes 2 inn, 3 Ks 

SAINTS 2 defeated BALLARAT BREWERS 1
Saints handed Ballarat Brewers their third loss in four games with a 2-1 win in a thrilling clash that was over in two hours at Prince of Wales Reserve. Two of the league's best in Dean Barker (Saints) and Ross Hipke (Brewers) produced dominant performances reflected in numbers that saw both going for seven innings, with Barker picking up  eight strike outs and Hipke eleven. Barker scattered three hits and Hipke five.

The early deadlock was broken when centrefield Matt Ryan doubled for the Sainters in the fourth and Mick Alldis drove him in with a single to centre that capped a quality time at bat. In the fifth, Saints made it doubly hard by scoring on a tricky infield play. The Brewers had their chances - with Barker giving up five passes - but they struggled to get runners past second. Until the bottom of nine, that is, when a lead-off Hamish Burrows bomb gave the Brewers some belated hope against Saints' reliever Josh Lee, who settled and did his job by closing out the dig. 

SAINTS:  0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 (2) errors 1
CITY:  0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 (1) no errors
SHs:
Saints:  M Ernstzen, M Ryan, M Alldis, L Poutler, J Lee
City:  N McKenzie, H Burrows, S Kerr
RBIs
Saints:  M Jeffery, M Alldis
H Burrows (HR)
Pitching:
Saints:  D Barker 7 inn, 3 hits, 8 Ks, 5 BB
              J Lee 2 inn, 1 hit, 1 ER
City: R Hipke 7 inn, 5 hits, 11 Ks, 1 ER
         A Irons 2 inn, 2 Ks, 2 BB

WERRIBEE 4 defeated BACCHUS MARSH 3
Werribee Giants have vindicated their decision to return to A Grade this season by landing their second win from six games, this time with a significant upset over last year's runner-up Bacchus Marsh.

The game was dominated by the pitchers, with Shaun Moore (Bacchus) and Daryl George (Werribee) doing superb jobs for their sides. Fanning twelve, Moore went the distance for the Marsh, who looked home after breaking a 1-1 deadlock to plate two runs in the top of eight. But the Giants rebounded with three of their own in the equaliser to establish a winning break.

Already having a great season, Werribee's Daryl George held the Marsh to three hits and a solitary run over nearly six innings. 

Hits were at a premium in a quality game of baseball, with Lowe (three and an RBI) and Craig Knight (one and two) productive for the Giants, while Hornstra and the Jones brothers were best for the Tigers, who face another tough one against Guild on Saturday. Still eighth - but only marginally on percentage - the Giants will fancy their chances against Deakin in what shapes as a terrific contest. 

WERRIBEE:  0 0 1 0 0 0 0 3 X (4) errors 1
BACCHUS MARSH:  0 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 (3) errors 1
SHs:
Werribee:  J Lowe 3, S Riches, O Box, M Collins, C Knight
Bacchus Marsh:  S Hornstra, B Jones 2, L Vicary-Lovegrove, S Moore, M Jones
RBIs:
Werribee:  C Knight 2, J Lowe
Bacchus Marsh:  M Jones 2, B Jones
Pitching:
Werribee:  D George 5.7 inn, 3  hits, 4 Ks, 2 BB, 1 ER
                   C Knight 2.3 inn, 3 hits, 1 K, 2 ER
                   R Balzer 1 inn, 1 hit
Bacchus Marsh:  S Moore 8 inn, 7 hits, 12 Ks, 2 BB, 3 ER

APRIL 26/27
ROUND 3

Deakin over Brewers: Lions draw away: Lara holds on: Bears split double-header
Geelong baseball endured its first blast of winter, with most games buffeted by howling winds and truncated by rain. The end result was a series of hard-fought, low-scoring contests that have thrown the competition wide open. Saints hold top spot on percentage over Lara, with Bacchus Marsh and Guild making up four teams on three wins. Deakin’s win over Brewers places those clubs at two wins apiece with Bellarine, while Werribee broke its duck with a win over the Bears in the first of its weekend double-header.  

With plenty riding on each of next Saturday’s A Grade games, the competition is at a fascinating stage that could hardly have been scripted better.

DEAKIN BLUES 5 defeated BREWERS 1
While the downpour was quite literally a drop in the ocean - hopefully the harbinger of more serious stuff - the "drought" has well and truly broken for Deakin Blues, who smacked the Brewers 5-1 on the back of a solo outing by former Saint Sean Talbot.

Talbot spun a no-hitter over the five digs played, picked up two hits, an RBI and ran the bases with aggression in his club's second win on the trot. With his two hits and three RBIs, Peter Kerr Chapman was the other standout for Deakin, who dropped their Sunday game at Bellarine but are level on wins with the Brewers and Bears in what has been a promising start to their season.

Minor premier for the past two years but not quite able to finish it off, the Brewers are languishing in fifth with a tough one to come against Saints next Saturday. Although the pitching and defence have been more than adequate for the Brew Crew, they’ve been short on hitting production to date and are clearly missing the power of Ned Baldwin and the consistency of Paul Gladman. 

BALLARAT CITY:  0 1 0 0 0 (1) no errors
DEAKIN:  1 0 0 0 4 (5) errors 1
SHs:
Deakin:  S Talbot, N Warren, P Kerr-Chapman, B Belfrage 2, G Morris
Brewers: nil
RBIs:
Deakin:  P Kerr-Chapman 3, S Talbot, G Morris
Pitching:
Deakin: S Talbot 5 inn 0 hits (other details not given)
Brewers: J.Lindsay (details not given)
LARA 5 defeated BACCHUS MARSH 4
Lara Wildcats hung on 5-4 against Bacchus Marsh after taking a 5 zip lead into the last dig. Aaron Green had another great day out on the hill for Lara to hold Bacchus to four scattered hits and no runs over six.

Tom Shaw again struggled for the Marsh, with his ordinary second dig yielding four runs for the Wildcats. In another quality outing, Shaun Moore took up the slack to hold Lara over six, the only additional run being unearned. Moore was again among his side’s best hitters, while Green, Cameron Forbes and Pruis continued their fine form with the stick.

Lara looked home with a four run lead into the ninth, but almost blew it compliments of some defensive lapses and a Bacchus assault on Cameron Forbes in relief for Green. With two out and two on, the Tigers were in with a shot until the heart-breaking third out was incurred on base.

Lara faces a danger game against Deakin on Saturday, while Bacchus Marsh – after two losses – may have some concerns at President’s Park, with Werribee on the winning list and surely on the improve.

BACCHUS MARSH:  0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 (4) errors 3
LARA:  0 4 0 0 1 0 0 0 (5) errors 1
SHs:
Bacchus Marsh:  L Vicary-Lovegrove, S Moore, C Galloway 2, J Kugele
Lara:  A Green, C Forbes, P Pruis 2, S Forbes, S Wilson, D Ricketts, T Arandt
RBIs:
Bacchus Marsh:  S Moore 2, L Vicary-Lovegrove, J Kugele
Lara:  C Forbes 2, A Green, C Brown, T Arandt
Pitching:
Bacchus Marsh:  T Shaw  2 inn, 5 hits, 2 Ks, 2 BB, 4 ER
                              S Moore 6 inn, 5 hits, 5 Ks, 2 BB
Lara:  A Green 6 inn, 4 hits, 1 K, 2 BB
           C Forbes 2 inn, 3 hits, 1 K, 4 ER
GUILD 7 defeated SAINTS 2
As expected, there was nothing splitting Saints and Guild early on, with Moulton and Barker making a decent fist of the greasy conditions at Pioneer Park (which incidentally is an absolute picture as a baseball surface). Both had some control issues, with Barker conceding four hits and Moulton an uncharacteristic seven.

Holding a one-run lead after four – and with the skies threatening to open after an earlier delay – Guild came out firing. Aggressive base running produced a fourth run for the Lions before a rain delay forced Barker from the mound. He was replaced by Brad Egan in his first outing for his new club. At the plate with a 2-2 count before the rain, Nick Spence smacked Egan’s second pitch over the rightfield wall for two runs and the insurance the Lions were after.

Ernstzen (2 hits) and Rickard were dangerous for Saints, while Spence was the standout in a consistent Lion’s offence that was impeccably supported in the field.  

SAINTS:  1 1 0 0 0 (2) errors 5
GUILD:  2 0 0 1 4 (7) no errors
SHs:
Saints:  M Ernstzen 2, C Rickard
Guild:  J Landthaler, D Jones, B Jensz, N Spence, A Barnes, C Harper
RBIs:
Saints:  C Rickard
Guild:  N Spence 2, D Jones, A Barnes, C Harper
Pitching:
Saints:  D Barker 4.3 inn, 4 hits, 2 Ks, 4 BB, 3 ER
              B Egan 0.7 inn, 2 hits, 1 ER
Guild:  P Moulton 4.3 inn, 3 hits, 4 Ks, 7 BB, 2 ER
            N Spence 0.7 inn, 1 K
WERRIBEE 4 defeated BELLARINE 1
Werribee opened its winter account with a convincing 4-1 win over Bellarine in a result that livens the competition up even further, with all clubs on at least one win and none as yet establishing a clear dominance.

Although both sides committed several defensive errors in the greasy conditions, this was a tightly-fought contest in which neither side was able to produce the “big innings”. Daryl George was terrific in going the distance for Werribee to concede just two hits and three passes against a hitting line-up with serious power on its day.

While Osborne and Murry were steady enough for the Bears, their offence could not get much going against George, who was well supported by an offence that picked up ten hits – the standouts being Riches, Knight and Box.

WERRIBEE:  1 0 1 0 1 0 1 (4) errors 4
BELLARINE:  0 1 0 0 0 0 0 (1) errors 3
SHs:
Werribee:  S Riches 3, C Knight, O Box 2, D Wilkie, J Lowe, R Balzer
Bellarine:  B McKentish, L Hockey
RBIs:
Werribee:  C Knight, D Wilkie, O Box
Pitching:
Werribee:  D George 7 inn, 2 hits, 5 Ks, 3 BB
Bellarine:  M Osborne 4.3 inn, 6 hits, 3 Ks, 2 BB, 3 ER
                   S Murry 2.7 inn, 4 hits, 2 Ks, 1 BB, 1 ER
BELLARINE 4 defeated DEAKIN 0
Buoyed by their stunning win over Ballarat Brewers, Deakin came into this game with great confidence, especially given that their shortened game on Saturday gave them some fresh pitching options.

And a pitching duel it turned out to be, early, as Brendan Belfrage and Dave Crotty went head-to-head for their respective sides, with a sole Bears run in the second the only score. Led by Jason Hockey, the Bears came to life to blast three in the bottom of six and establish a match-winning break.

With three hits, young Darcy Eales was superb with the Bat for the Blues, but the day really belonged to old-stager Crotty, who showed great control to go the distance in scattering six hits and giving up a solitary pass.

Both sides have already shown some promising form to be at two wins each. The extent of their improvement will be tested next week, with Bellarine meeting the Lions at the stadium and Deakin playing host to Lara.

BELLARINE:  0 1 0 0 0 3 0 0 (4) errors 1
DEAKIN:  0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (0) errors 2
SHs:
Bellarine:  B McKentish, J Hockey, S Murry, W Visser, M Osborn, S Osborn
Deakin:  D Eales 3, N Warren, P Kerr-Chapman, M Bouma
RBIs:
Bellarine:  J Hockey 2, M Osborn
Pitching:
Bellarine:  D Crotty 9 inn, 6 hits, 1 K, 1 BB
Deakin: B Belfrage 5.3 inn, 4 hits, 1 K, 1 BB, 3 ER
              S Talbot 1.3 inn, 1 hit, 1 BB
              C Malthouse 1.3 inn, 1 hit, 2 Ks
APRIL 19/20
ROUND 2

Deakin upsets Tigers: Brewer offence fires: Wildcats and Saints too strong
The winter ladder is already taking on an interesting appearance after just the third weekend of competition. While last year's finalists in Lara, Brewers, Bacchus Marsh and Guild will clearly - again - be vying for play-off berths, the task is looming as far more challenging this time. Deakin, Bellarine and Saints have shown improved form and Werribee will surely get among the wins as it improves its defensive game and adjusts to the greater rigours of A Grade competition.   

DEAKIN 4 defeated BACCHUS MARSH 3
Deakin Blues won their first A Grade game in almost two years, upsetting flag favourite Bacchus Marsh 4-3 in a result of enormous significance to the league and to the Deakin club. The Tigers may have been missing Vicary-Lovegrove, and they may have been feeling a bit seedy after a Saturday evening "occasion", but the bottom line is that Deakin's Brendan Belfrage produced a "coming of age" mound outing of serious quality - going eight digs to scatter four hits and concede just two earned runs. While much will continue to be asked of the youngster, he has more than able back-up in former Sainter Sean Talbot, who has already shown some great form.

For the Marsh, its versatile Shaun Moore held the Blues scoreless over six, until they jumped all over reliever Tom Shaw to blast a match-breaking four runs in the seventh, on five hits and a walk. All up, the Blues hit safely nine times, the standouts being Warren, Strauchan, Eales and evergreen Craig Malthouse, who must be delighted with his club's form at this early stage and looking to a bold showing against the Brewers on Saturday.

BACCHUS MARSH:  0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 (3) no errors
DEAKIN:  0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 (4) errors 4
SH:
Bacchus Marsh:  B Jones, J Bailey, S Moore, E Byrne, J Kugele
Deakin:  N Warren, C Malthouse, L Strauchan 2, D Eales, J Harper, B Belfrage
RBIs:
Bacchus Marsh:  J Bailey, S Moore, T Shaw
Deakin:  D Eales 2, N Warren, C Malthouse
Pitching:
Bacchus Marsh:     S Moore 6 inn, 4 hits, 5 Ks, 1 BB
                                 T Shaw 0.3 inn, 5 inn, 1 BB, 4 ER
                                 J Kugele 1.7 inn, 2 Ks, 1 BB
Deakin:  B Belfrage 8 inn, 4 hits, 5 Ks, 4 BB, 2 ER
                S Talbot 1 inn, 1 hit, 1 K, 1 BB, 1 ER

BALLARAT BREWERS 7 defeated GUILD 2
Light on for productive offence in previous weeks, the Brewers' hitters fired at home, on Saturday, for an important 7-2 win over Guild Lions - taking both to two and two behind the Marsh and East Belmont Saints. Two of the league's best in Moulton and Irons went head to head early, with the Lions scoring in the first on a Landthaler double and a muffed Brewer fly. In the bottom of the third, Chetcuti's lead-off double stirred the home team into an offensive barrage that blasted seven runs in two digs off the Guild ace - with telling blows being delivered by Hipke, McKenzie, Kerr and Burrows.

The break was decisive, as the Lions found it tough to get anything much going off Irons over his five digs, with a sole run coming from Hipke's relief stint. Ryan Darcy, Ben Jensz and Landthaler were consistent contributors with the stick for Guild, who picked up the same number of hits - nine - but struggled to come to terms with less than perfect ground conditions that put rightfield and middle infielders under the hammer. Nevertheless, several outstanding defensive plays were made, suggesting that both clubs will be right among the leaders this season.

BALLARAT CITY: 0 0 3 4 0 0 0 (7) errors 2
GUILD:1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 (2) errors 4
SH:
Ballarat City:  N McKenzie, H Burrows 2, A Irons, D Chetcuti, R Hipke, S Kerr
Guild: J Landthaler, R Darcy, B Jensz, N Spence 2, D Jones
RBIs:
Ballarat City: N McKenzie , H Burrows , A Irons, S Kerr, R Hipke
Guild: N Spence
Pitching:
Ballarat City:  A Irons:5 inn, 3 hits, 1 K, 2 BB
                          R Hipke:  4 inn, 6 hits, 6 Ks, 1 ER
Guild: P Moulton  6 inn, 7 hits, 6 Ks, 1 BB
            S Barnes  2 inn, 1 hit, 2 Ks, 2 BB

LARA 10 defeated BELLARINE 4
Lara Wildcats scored at will later in the game to overpower Bellarine Bears 10-4 in a win that has the 'Cats well ensconced among the leaders.  However, the Bears were seriously competitive early, with Matt Osbourne throwing exceptionally well and Cameron Forbes struggling to find his rhythm against some belligerent Bears' hitting that saw them holding a lead into the fourth dig.

Bears Manager Simon Murry played - in the words of a Lara supporter - "like a man possessed", to help keep his side in the hunt. Being the quality outfit that they are, though, Lara came back strongly to apply real offensive pressure and ultimately outhit the Bears twelve hits to eight. Peter Pruis (two hits and 5 RBIs) and Cameron Brown (three and two) were terrific with the bat for Lara, while regular catcher Dale Ricketts assumed the closers' role for an efficient two innings/no hit stint.

BELLARINE:  1 1 2 0 0 0 0 (4) errors 2
LARA: 0 0 3 3 4 0 0 (10) errors 1
SH:
Bellarine: S Murry, W Visser 2, B McKentish, L Hockey, M Osborn, S Osborn
Lara: C Brown 3, S Forbes, C Forbes, P Pruis 2,  D Ricketts
RBIs:
Bellarine: B McKentish,  S Murry, W Visser
Lara: P Pruis 5,  C Brown 2, D Ricketts
Pitching:
Bellarine:   M Osborn 3.7 inn, 8 hits, 6 BB, 6 ER
                    S Murry 1.7 inn, 4 hits, 1 K, 3 BB,. 4 ER 
                    B McKentish 2 inn, 1 hit
Lara: C Forbes 5 inn, 8 hits, 7 Ks, 4 ER
           D Ricketts 2 inn, 3 Ks, 1 BB

SAINTS 9 defeated WERRIBEE 1
East Belmont Saints extended their unbeaten record with a comprehensive 9-1 win over Werribee. The game was tight for the first couple - with Werribee holding a slender lead - but the Saints hitters came to life in the third, took advantage of a number of Giants defensive errors and established a match-winning break.

Barker and Lee scattered just four hits for the Saints, whose beefed-up offence was led by Ernstzen, Rickard, Lee and Jeffrey in an impressive team performance. With Daryl George restricting the Saints over a serviceable four digs, the Giants were valiant again this week and have a real shot against Bellarine on Saturday. Now leading the table with a miserly three runs against, Saints will be confident of their chances against neighbour and arch-rival Guild. 

SAINTS:  0 0 3 2 2 2 (9)  error 1
WERRIBEE:  1 0 0 0 0 0 (1) errors 5
SH:
Saints:  M Ernstzen 3, M Jeffery, J Lee 2, B Twaddle, M Ryan
Werribee:  J Lowe, M Collins, R Balzer, D Wilkie
RBIs:
Saints:  M Ernstzen, C Rickard, J Lee 2, B Twaddle
Werribee:  L Weldon
Pitching:
Saints:  D Barker 4 inn, 3 hits, 7 Ks, 2 BB, 1 ER
J Lee 2 inn, 1 hit, 1 Ks, 2 BB
Werribee:  D George 4 inn, 5 hits, 5 Ks, 5 BB, 2 ER
L Weldon 2 inn, 4 hits, 5 BBs, 4 ER
APRIL 12/13
ROUND 1

Tigers, Saints undefeated: Bears in thriller: Lions too polished for Werribee
Bacchus Marsh continues to have the wood on the Brewers, holding top place at 3/0 after a convincing 4-1 win at Mason's lane. A seriously strengthened East Belmont Saints has breathed early life into the competition by rolling the triple reigning premier 3-1, while Guild Lions blanked Werribee in a disappointing contest after the Giants began so well in last week's double-header. Cellar dwellers in 2007, Bellarine and Deakin played out a Sunday thriller, with the Bears getting up 4-1 in a quality game of baseball that bodes well for both clubs.

SAINTS 3 defeated LARA 1
Although it was just their second hit-out for the season, Saints remain undefeated after a hard-fought 3-1 result over Lara in a pitching shootout between Dean Barker (Saints) and Aaron Green (Wildcats), the former conceding a few walks (six) but fanning eleven - over seven digs - against the reigning triple premier, who made some telling blunders in defence. Wildcat Aaron Green backed up from his win over Guild last Sunday with another superb two-hitter. This time, though, the Lara offence could simply not offer enough, with Barker restricting the premier, as well, to two hits.

Saint evergreen Mark Jeffrey played some brilliant "heads-up" baseball at shortstop, as well as driving in two runs in his side's modest hitting output. Matt Ryan suited up for Saints and Cameron Forbes finished off for the Wildcats in two of the day's interesting "sub-plots".  

Much can, and will happen, over coming weeks - and it is likely that the Wildcats will be able to do enough to stay with the leaders while some of their superstars find their way back into action. What it also clear, though, is that the proud Saints club has developed far greater depth as it commits itself to a big effort in 2008. On form the Sainters should be too strong for Werribee next week, while Lara will be looking to score more freely against the competitive Bellarine. 

SAINTS:  0 2 0 0 0 0 1 X (3) errors 1
LARA:   0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 (1) errors 5
Hits:
Saints:  M Jeffery, J Lee
Lara:  R Wilson, S Wilson
RBIs:
Saints:  M Jeffery 2
Lara:  S Wilson
Pitching:
Saints:  D Barker 7 inn, 1 hit, 11 Ks, 6 BB, 1 ER
              J Lee 1 inn, 1 hit, 1 K, 1 BB
Lara:  A Green 6.7 inn, 2 hits, 4 Ks, 5 BB
           C Forbes 0.3 inn

GUILD 18 defeated WERRIBEE 0
These two clubs played out a nail-biter during "Super Sunday", but it was a far different matter this week. Lions' southpaw Pat Moulton started the game by striking out the first hitter and that pretty much set the tone for the Werribee offence, which struggled to get runners on base as Moulton and reliever Stuart Barnes applied the clamps until the game was mercifully called early.

In contrast, the Guild hitters were at their imperious best to take advantage of some lack-lustre pitching. Smacking a triple with his first at bat, Guild's Ryan Darcy picked up four of his team's total of sixteen hits. Ben Jensz (three hits and three RBIs), Dean Jones (two and three) and Nick Spence (one and two) were the standouts in an impressive offensive display for Guild, while Daniel Wilkie was the only real contributor with two for the Giants.

While the Giants were comprehensively outplayed on this occasion, they did not help their cause by committing a stunning ten defensive errors behind their youthful pitching staff of George and Balzer. The Giants have the chance to atone - at home - against Saints next Saturday, while Guild travels to Ballarat for what shapes as the match of the round.

GUILD:  4 3 6 1 1 3 X (18) no errors
WERRIBEE:  0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (0) errors 10
Hits:
Guild:  R Darcy 4, B Jensz 3, D Jones, C Lyons, A Barnes 2, J Landthaler, N Spence, M Miller
Werribee:  D Wilkie 2, J Lowe
RBIs:
Guild:  D Jones, B Jensz 3, R Darcy, N Spence 2, C Lyons, M Miller
Pitching:
Guild:  P Moulton 5 inn, 3 hits, 9 Ks, 1 BB
            S Barnes 2 inn, 1 K, 1 BB
Werribee:  D George 2.3 inn, 8 hits, 1 K, 3 BB, 6 ER
                   R Balzer 3.7 inn, 8 hits, 4 Ks, 3 BB, 8 ER

BELLARINE 4 defeated DEAKIN 1
Coming off disappointing seasons last year, the Bears and the Blues have shown enough, already, to suggest that they are in for far better returns in 2008.

In a pitcher-dominated contest, Deakin scored its only run in the third, holding Bellarine scoreless until it broke out with a match-breaking four runs in the sixth. Manager Simon Murry went the distance for the Bears in scattering five hits and conceding just one pass, while Sean Talbot and youngster Brendan Belfrage shared duties on the hill for the Blues. Both were impressive, although a tiring Talbot walked two, hit one and gave up two hits before Belfrage shut the gate on the Bears after their one-dig blast that ultimately decided the result.

The Blues played errorless defence and outhit the Bears five to three - suggesting, on paper at least, that the result should reasonably have been even closer. The test, for both clubs, will come next weekend - with the Bears meeting Lara on Saturday and Deakin hosting the high-balling Bacchus Marsh on Sunday. These games should provide a fair guide to the improvement of the Bellarine and Deakin clubs, both under new management in 2008. 

BELLARINE: 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 X  (4) errors 3
DEAKIN:  0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 (1) no errors
Hits:
Bellarine:  B McKentish, L Hockey, W Visser
Deakin:  D Eales, P Kerr-Chapman, S Talbot, N Warren, M Bouma
RBIs:
Bellarine:  L Hockey, J Hockey, W Visser
Pitching:
Bellarine:  S Murry 9 inn, 5 hits, 9 Ks, 1 BB
Deakin:  S Talbot 5.3 inn, 2 hits, 7 Ks, 4 BB, 4 ER
B Belfrage 2.7 inn, 1 hit, 4 Ks, 2 BB

BACCHUS MARSH 4 defeated BALLARAT BREWERS 1
In a manner befitting his sobriquet, Tiger Tom Shaw just keeps on carding "Goose" eggs against the Brewers, who lost their second game to the Marsh in six days. Going the nine innings in a quality contest decided 4-1 in under two hours, the teenager scattered three hits for the Brewers and conceded just a sixth innings run on a Tim Sullivan single and Meddick double.

With Bennetts injured and Hamish Burrows unavailable, the Brewers offence may not have been at its most potent - but nothing can be taken away from Shaw, who has had the wood on the Brewers for their past three clashes. For his part, Brewer Adam Irons served his side well in holding the Tigers to a sole run over six, before tiring and conceding three in the seventh - compliments of a long Shaun Moore double to score two and an "insurance" run driven in by Earl Byrne on his second hit and second RBI for the day.

Its win has the excitable Marsh unit at 3 and 0, while the Brewers will be concerned about an offensive output that has delivered them a modest six runs in three games, for a win and two losses. While Bacchus appear at unbackable odds against the exuberant Deakin Blues next week, Ballarat will host Guild in a "game of the round" that will be of great importance to the Brew Crew given the improved form of several clubs in 2008.

APRIL 5/6
ROUND 19 and 20

Tigers purring after opening double: Guild splits two thrillers
While it is very early days, last year's runner-up Bacchus Marsh Tigers will be on pretty good terms with themselves after two wins in today's doubleheader - a 14 zip whitewash of Bellarine and a comprehensive 7-2 result over Brewers after a tight first few digs. The seriously undermanned triple reigning premier - Lara - made tough work of it against Guild in their single game, but got over the line 5-4 largely due to a great full-game stint by leftie Adam Green.

Guild split its results for the day by getting up 5-4 in a see-sawing contest over Werribee Giants, who were impressive in their return to A Grade after several years' break. Although the final scoreline looked comfortable at 8-1 in favour of Saints, Deakin Blues would have taken a degree of heart from their first-up effort after a disappointing season in 2007.

SAINTS 8 defeated DEAKIN 1
East Belmont Saints opened its 2008 campaign with a comfortable 8-1 win over Deakin in a contest that never reached great defensive heights whilst still producing some impressive individual performances. Lefties Dean Barker and Josh Lee shared mound duties for Saints, going four each to not concede an earned run. Likely to be called upon often this season, youngster Brendan Belfrage threw a steady four digs for the Blues.

Apart from his three digs in relief, Peter Kerr-Chapman picked up two hits from a Deakin team total of just five. In contrast, Saints hit safely eleven times - the standouts being Mick Alldis (2 hits and an RBI), Lee (two and one), Marcel Ernstzen (2 hits) and Chris Rickard (2 RBIs), although all hitters made a contribution in an offence bolstered by the return of Alldis, Elliott and Tom Hau.

The youthful Blues conceded just two earned runs against a vastly experienced opponent in a first-up effort that bodes well for a developing Deakin outfit that stranded a number of runners on base and that could have delivered a far closer scoreline under new coach Craig Malthouse.

DEAKIN: 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 (1) errors 3
SAINTS: 2 0 2 2 0 2 0 0 (8) error 1
Hits:
Deakin: P Kerr-Chapman 2, S Talbot, J Harper, L Strauch
Saints: M Ernstzen, M Alldis, J Lee 2, B Twaddle, L Poulter, T Hau, A Meehan
RBIs:
Deakin: P Kerr-Chapman
Saints: C Rickard 2, M Alldis, J Lee, T Elliott
Pitching:
Deakin: B Belfrage 4 inn, 5 hits, 5 Ks, 6 BB, 2 ER
P Kerr-Chapman 3 inn, 5 hits
S Talbot 1 inn, 1 hit
Saints:  D Barker 4 inn, 3 hits, 6 Ks, 3 BB
J Lee 4 inn, 2 hits, 9 Ks, 2 BB

BALLARAT BREWERS 3 defeated WERRIBEE 0

Establishing early on that pitching will be a serious strength again this year, Ballarat Brewers gave utility Adam Irons the start against Werribee. Appearing to have gained more velocity over summer, Irons went the distance in a remarkable outing that saw him picking up 21 strike-outs and conceding just three hits (two to former Tiger Daniel Wilkie).

Although their first-game performance was quite impressive despite a couple of defensive lapses, the Giants were not able to get anything going in offence, whilst the errorless Brewers did enough - on eight hits - to score in the first and pick up a couple of insurance runs late in the game. With two hits each, Hipke and Ashmore were best with the stick for the Brew Crew.  

WERRIBEE:  0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (0) errors 2
BALLARAT BREWERS:  1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 (3) no errors
Hits:
Werribee:  D Wilkie 2, J Lowe
Ballarat City: R Hipke, L Ashmore 2, H Burrows, N McKenzie, R Meddick, B Bennetts
RBIs:
Ballarat City: R Hipke, S Kerr, L Ashmore
Pitching:
Full details not available. Adam Irons conceded three hits and had 21 strike-outs for the Brewers

BACCHUS MARSH 14 defeated BELLARINE 0
Last year's runner-up began its season in the most emphatic fashion by whitewashing Bellarine 14-0, the game effectively over in the first dig after the Tigers had taken Dave Crotty to the cleaners on a string of hits that yielded seven runs. Valiant as they are, the Bears were never in the contest as the Tigers put on an opening round clinic.

James Bailey set the tone of the game with a booming round tripper from his first A Grade at bat, Brad Jones and Liam Vicary-Lovegrove picked up three hits each, Earl Byrne drove in three on his two hits, whilst Chad Galloway was as dangerous as ever. For their part, the Bears would be pleased with the hitting form of Wayne Visser and Simon Murry, both of whom will be required to produce consistently this season.

Aside from gaining points and percentage, the Marsh would be rapt with Shaun Moore's six-innings stint on the hill after almost entirely missing last winter and seeing his side go down by the narrowest of margins in the Grand Final. With a terrific blend of youth and experience and a strong competitive spirit, the Tigers will already be at skinny odds with the baseball bookies. The Bears, on the other hand, may struggle for depth but they have enough persons of character around the club to ensure that they should win their share. Next Sunday's home game against Deakin may reveal a great deal about where both clubs are at, right now.

BELLARINE: 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (0) errors 5
BACCHUS MARSH: 7 1 0 4 1 1 (14) no errors
Hits:
Bellarine: S Murry, D Visser 2, J Crotty, L Hockey, J Hockey
Bacchus Marsh: B Jones, L Vicary-Lovegrove 3, C Galloway, E Byrne, J Bailey 2, S Moore, P Lovelock
RBIs:
Bacchus Marsh:  E Byrne 3, C Galloway, J Bailey 2, L Vicary-Lovegrove, S Moore, P Lovelock
Pitching:
Bellarine: D Crotty 3 inn, 9 hits, 3 BB, 8 ER
                  S Murry 1 inn, 2 hits, 3 Ks, 2 BB
                  M Osborne 2 inn, 3 hits, 2 BB, 2 ER
Bacchus Marsh: S Moore 6 inn, 7 hits, 5 Ks, 3 BB
                              L Vicary-Lovegrove 1 inn, 3 Ks, 1 BB

LARA WILDCATS 5 defeated GUILD 4
While third-sacker Cameron Brown was a welcome return for the Wildcats after absence, the triple reigning premier looked seriously undermanned without the likes of Hammer (injured), Holmes (recovering from operation), Marnell and Asp. However, the champions still managed to sneak past Guild - compliments of a quality full-game outing on the hill by southpaw Aaron Green, who came off a terrific recent Under 23 series in Adelaide.

Both sides had ordinary days in defence, with a number of gloving and throwing lapses errors reflected in the error count of four apiece, indicative more of "first round" rustiness rather than any skill shortcomings. Nevertheless, this was a thrilling contest that was still up for grabs into the last innings.

While Green was superb for the Wildcats, Pat Moulton was also impressive in his four innings for Guild. Ethan Tibbles struggled with control in relief, drawing Nick Spence to close out for the young Lions, who will be buoyed by the return of versatile Jason Landthaler to their ranks. For their part, the Wildcats may have dropped in numbers (back from four senior sides to three), but there can be no doubting the quality of the personnel that will be suiting up as they strive for four straight. Next Saturday's clash with Saints - at Pioneer Park - should be a cracker.

GUILD:  1 0 0 0 1 0 2 (4) errors 4
LARA: 2 0 0 0 2 1 0 (5) errors 4
Hits:
Guild: R Darcy 2, C Lyons, B Jensz, C Harper
Lara: R Wilson 2, S Forbes, C Forbes, S Wilson, C Brown
RBIs:
Guild: D Jones, M Miller, C Harper
Lara: C Forbes 2, A Green
Pitching:
Guild: P Moulton 4 inn, 4 hits, 4 Ks, 3 BB, 2 ER
           E Tibbles 1.7 inn, 1 hit, 4 BB, 1 ER
           N Spence 1.3 inn, 1 hit, 3 Ks
Lara: A Green 7 inn, 5 hits, 2 Ks, 2 BB, 1 ER

BACCHUS MARSH 7 defeated BALLARAT BREWERS 2
Bacchus Marsh made it two wins from two - today - with what was, in the end, a surprisingly comfortable win over last year's minor premiers, despite a decent six-dig outing by Ross Hipke, who conceded a sole earned run in the form of a Shaun Moore first innings bomb on a pitch that sat up there and screamed out "hit me". 

The Marsh has become something of a nemesis for the Brew Crew and it was, again, young Tom Shaw who put the clamps on the Ballarat offence in scattering six hits and conceding a sole earned run over eight and a bit innings. While old-stager Brett Bennetts was superb at the hot corner, uncharacteristic infield errors were damaging for the Brewers, who appeared rattled by the aggressive baserunning and "hit and run" strategy employed under new Tigers' coach Chad Galloway.

Apart from Moore's contribution to the scoreboard, the Tigers were well served by rookie John Bailey (who capped off a great individual day with a further three hits), Earl Byrne (two hits and two RBIs) and Galloway himself. Centrefielder Scott Kerr and Nathan McKenzie were the most dangerous in offence for the Brewers, who will improve rapidly once their defensive structure is settled. Perhaps as early as next Saturday, for a return clash at Mason's Lane.

BALLARAT BREWERS:  0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 (2) errors 4
BACCHUS MARSH: 1 0 0 1 0 2 0 3 (7) errors 2
Hits:
Ballarat City: S Kerr 2, A Irons, N McKenzie, R Meddick, L Ashmore, B Bennetts, D Chetcuti
Bacchus Marsh: J Bailey 3, C Galloway, E Byrne 2, S Moore, P Lovelock
RBIs:
Ballarat City: N McKenzie, L Ashmore
Bacchus Marsh: E Byrne 2, C Galloway, J Bailey, T Shaw, S.Moore
Pitching:
Ballarat City: R Hipke 6 inn, 5 hits, 9 Ks, 1 ER
                       H Burrows 2 inn, 4 hits, 2 Ks, 3 ER
Bacchus Marsh: T Shaw 8.1 inn, 6 hits, 4 Ks, 1 ER
                              J Bailey 0.1 inn, 2 hits
                              L Vicary-Lovegrove 1.2 inn, 1 K

GUILD 5 defeated WERRIBEE 4
Both incurring a morning loss, Guild and Werribee came back strongly to play out a thriller that bodes well for the prospects of both clubs this season.

After conceding an early lead, Guild blasted four runs in the third to take what turned into an insurmountable lead. Both sides recorded eight hits, with Box (home run), Wilkie and George showing the way for the Giants and Jensz, Landthaler and Lyons the catalysts for the Lions.

Both sides have a number of young pitching talents that will stand them in good stead over coming months. But let us not get too far ahead - the two clubs will slug it out again next Saturday, at Werribee.

WERRIBEE:  2 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 (4) errors 2
GUILD: 0 0 4 0 0 1 0 0 (5) errors 2
Hits:
Werribee: O Box, D Wilkie, D George 2, S Riches, M Collins
Guild: B Jensz 2, A Barnes, R Darcy, D Jones, C Lyons, M Miller, J Landthaler
RBIs:
Werribee: D Wilkie 2, O Box, D George
Guild: C Lyons, B Jensz, J Landthaler
Pitching:
Werribee: J Lowe  4 inn, 6 hits, 2 Ks, 1 BB, 3 ER
R Balzer 3.3 inn, 1 K, 4 BB, 1 ER
Guild: S Barnes 6 inn, 6 hits, 2 Ks, 1 BB, 1 ER
D Davenport 1 inn, 3 Hits, 1 BB, 1 ER
N Spence 1 inn, 1K