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DIVISION 2 - 3rds MATCH REPORTS.

Round 12 - Berwick 4 lost to Waverley 8.

2 stinking hits. That was it for us … 2 lousy hits - although fair to say that the two hits we did actually have were not lousy themselves, with Jason scoring one RBI from his and Woody, well Woody brought in 3 runs of his hit, including himself thanks to a 3 run bomb over centre left.

Our pitchers were solid, with Luke, Woody and Al all going two digs each, giving up 12 hits between them, keeping the opposition to a manageable score. Defensively we were very solid again which probably left the score as flattering as it was.

Just outplayed by a cagey old bugger on the hill for the Wildcats who through 80% breaking balls. Must have hit 6-8 balls straight to 3rd base and popped up at least three straight up in the air to be caught by the pitcher. Need to adjust in the box.

Thanks to Craig and old man Gibbo for line umpiring for us.

We must come back from the break ready to rumble and virtually need to go through perfect for the remainder of the season. Tough task but just gotta do it.

First game back is 1PM game at home v Sunshine. No ground prep for us with no junior so please be there 11.30am to set up the diamond.

To all the Cougars, hope you have a great break and will see you next year.

Cheers

Quinny

Round 11 - Berwick 9 drew with Bonbeach 9.

Down to the raw 9 and no recognised starting pitcher, Luke got the call up to start proceedings on the hill, going 3 innings and doing a solid job, not getting all the calls he would have liked throughout.

This was tight all the way. We got a run in the first, however we left the bases full so did not capitalise on our opportunity, with Bonbeach replying with one of their own. No score for us in the second, whilst Bonbeach scored another to take an early lead.

We jumped out in the top of the 3rd, scoring 4 runs, whilst Bonbeach replied with another 2, giving us a 1 run lead going into the 4th.

We bounced straight back with another three of our own, however following the pitching change with the ball falling in my hands, a couple of uncharacteristic errors enabled the Bluejays to score three of their own. One run up going into the last.

With Jason scoring of my hit and with 1 out, I decided to steal 2nd. Off like a gazelle with a good jump, looking to do it easy - TWANG!!!!! HAMMY!!!! - out tagged at second as I pulled up lame coming into the base. We failed to add from there and went into the bottom of the last with a 2 run lead.

With no bench players and the 4ths all having disappeared, I had to stay in the game so hobbled to first base while Al took the ball.

A couple of walks and hits and Bonbeach had scored the two to tie it up.

Bases loaded, 2 out and 2 balls on the batter - my thoughts were only 'Don't walk him Al'. But a couple of back to back strikes forced the batter to swing and a dribbler along the first base line was snapped up and the out made to finish with a draw.

One that we could have or should have won, but Bonbeach could say the same. We did not take our opportunities early to blow it open leaving 7 base runners stranded in the first three innings alone. But still, it is better than a loss.

I had a good day, going 4 from 4 (that is 7 from 7 with Dick's bat - the same bat that Santa is bringing me!!!), whilst Al was in good form with 2 doubles. Again it was pleasing that everyone contributed in the box - but we have to take the opportunity to step up and be the hero when it matters - have to get those baserunners in to get those big scoring innings.

Cheers

Quinny

Round 10 - Berwick 32 def. Chelsea 2.

14 runs in the first dig is usually a pretty good indication you will be in for a good day - and it was.

We were helped out by some ordinary fielding from the Dolphins, particularly in the first innings as we scored our 14 runs off only 7 hits.

It was a day when everyone was looking to get a hit, and all players managed to do so. Jay and Luke both decided to also contribute with multiple 'getting hits', Jay 3 times (twice in one innings) and Luke twice (he gets grumpy when he gets hit), with Andy Gibbo and Andy Hemmes (as usual) also being struck in the batters box.

18 hits, 7 walks and 7 hit by pitchers and not quite sure how many errors = 32 to 2 result for us.

Jay went three innings on the hill, only giving up a single hit and walk for no runs whilst Any Hemmes struggled at first giving up a couple but then completed his two innings very solidly to finish out the game.

Defence was again very good, with only the single blemish.

Lucas was hot with the bat with 4 hits (just short of putting one over) while I managed 3 including the teams first 'over the cones' home run for the season (love that bat of yours Dick, can't wait until Santa brings me mine ready for the new year). Hemmes, old Gibbo and Jason all 2 hits.

Back to an even win/loss position so lets finish strong for the last couple of games before Xmas before we have a real crack at it in the new year. Great job by all the seniors with our back to back sweeps. Let's try for the 3peat this week.

Round 9 - Berwick 9 def. Moorabin 7 .

We were chasing all day, but at the pointy end, we chased, we caught, we passed, we won.

With the ground saturated with lots of surface water, at 12pm we were ready to accept we would have no game, however with a bit of man power from the 4ths and Daniel Wood, we got the ground at a barely playable standard for the 4ths, and by the time we got underway, we were playing in warm sunshine.

We continually seemed to threaten but could not take the ascendency. Woody started on the hill and went three solid innings, giving up only the three runs. Moorabbin scored 0, 1 & 2 runs in the first three digs. We scored 0, 1 & 2 runs in the first three digs. So this was tight.

Cougars debutant Justin Maz took the ball in the top of the 4th and struggled a little, giving up 3 hits and 3 walks, enabling Moorabbin to jump out to a four run lead. We couldn't quite match it only scoring three of our own.

Another newbie, Under 16's coach Luke Ognibene then took to the hill and managed to shut down the Panthers in order, setting us a 1 run deficit with time running out.

3 runs scored and time and game was called.

Good all around performance with the bat with everyone contributing something except me :( Andy Hemmes was the star with three hits, whilst Jason Beck who helped us out today had two with 2 RBI's. Would also like to mention Cam Gibbens who has been finding it a bit tough of late. With the game in the balance in the last with the scores tied, one out and two on, took an 8 pitch at bat to draw a walk to load them up which consequently enabled us to score the go ahead run. All these little things matter in the end - keep putting in Cam and it will come.

Real gritty performance today. We have some pitching options now which should enable us to find the right arm on the day. We had a couple of errors in the field but those probably didn't affect the outcome. If our defence continues to hold strong, when we are struggling to score, it will keep us in touch to give us the chance to come back as we did today.

Quinny

Round 7 - Berwick 11 def. Williamstown 5.

We weren't terribly confident of getting a game in - and why would we with all the rain we had overnight and in the morning and when it is still raining all the way on the drive there. But with the rain stopping 30 minutes before the scheduled start time and the ground in pretty good nick, play we did.

Up against the Wolves who were sitting nicely at 5 & 2, we needed to provide a better contest. As there was no umpire available, and the suggestion from Willy was that we umpire our batting innings and they there's, for the interests of the game I stood out to umpire leaving the remaining 9 guys to do the job required.

Woody took to the hill for what was his first start of the season and did an excellent job. Going into the third innings of this game, Woody had yet to give up a run in his 6 innings of work for the season, but his zero ERA was gone compliments of a laser home run to centre right. His immediate comment was that his zero ERA was no longer. Tissues almost needed to be brought out to the mound. But he did do a great job over 4 innings, giving up 8 hits and only 2 walks whilst striking out 4. Great job Woody.

In the batting, everyone contributed in some form, whether it be through hits, scoring runs or RBI's, everyone did something which was good to see. Dicky and Lucas both had a couple of hits each whilst Andy Hemmes matched that with his 2 hit by pitches - some blokes are just ball magnets in the box aren't they Andy - you must have been to the same batting school as Beefa!!!

Good job guys. Back to Sunday next week at home v Moorabbin at 3.30.

Quinny

Round 6 - Berwick 7 lost to Newport 13 .

Although it was disappointing to lose this one, it really was a crackerjack game of baseball with plenty of hits and solid defence.

Things were looking good after 2 digs with a two run lead and Jimmy containing the Rams bats. But they found some form and some gaps and managed to pile on six runs to jump out to a 4 run lead. But we bounced straight back with 3 of our own. Another run in the bottom of the 4th and we had tied it up.

With Al now relieving, Newport scored another in the top of the 5th which we immediately replied.

But alas, Newport then kicked away with six runs in the top of the sixth. They had some good hits and some lucky ones, but that is the game and unfortunately we could not make any headway into the lead they had created.

Not really any excuses with this one. We just couldn't run with the momentum we created with our hits to turn them into big scoring innings. We scored in every innings except the last. They scored six runs in two innings twice to do the damage. Whilst we hit well with 15 hits, that also reflects our inability to convert the baserunners into runs. The opposition had only two more hits (and received 7 free passes to our 1) but scored 6 more runs.

Still, plenty of good batting for us - and I mean good batting - reckon we hit the ball better than them. Turtle continues his hot streak, only a double shy of the cycle amongst his four hits. Ben W, Jimmy, Lucas and Woody also all hit the ball well with 2 hits apiece.

Saturday game this week which unfortunately I will be unable to get to so all the best lads.

Quinny

Round 5 - Berwick 6 lost to Ormond / Glenhuntley 12.

Attitude probably cost us in this one. When you rock up to the game sort of not wanting to play because it is a bit cold and wet (as I did!!!), it can often be hard to 'turn it on', and we certainly did not turn anything on in this one.

Andy Hemmes took the ball and struggled with the mound to throw the strikes we needed. He was relieved in the first by Al who finished off the game from there and did a solid job, but wasn't supported by the field and with a few hits here and there, couldn't completely stop the Hunters from scoring. As was the case a couple of weeks ago, we were down 10 zip before we knew it, but there was barely a hint of fight to get back into it this time.

Our batting was terrible with only three hits for the day and the fielding could certainly have been better.

Can't really pull out any positives out of this one, other than it being a wake up call that we need to turn up on time, prepare for the game as we should, and be ready to go from the first pitch. Hopefully a loss like this isn't the difference at the end of the season on whether we get a gig in the finals.

Thanks to Gibbo snr for umpiring for half a game after the Ormond umpire had to go. Apologies to our few, but very loyal spectators who sat through the terrible conditions and had to watch what we put on out there.

But we move on - lets turn it around next week. Game face on an hour before the game!!!

Quinny

Round 4 - Berwick 36 def. Port Melb. 2.

6, 13, 5, 12 …. No it is not the runs per over score in a Twenty20 game, it was our amassing of runs for the day against an inexperienced and undermanned Port Melbourne.

It was certainly a day for improving the stats. 19 hits for the day to accompany the (gulp) 17 walks handed to us.

Although the pitching wasn't too strong, many of the hits were deep and hard. Everyone got amongst it (well everyone except one - but I always give him a hard time so won't publicise who it was - I woodn't do that, wood I?). Everyone got at least a couple of hits except myself and that other bloke (who I said I wood not mention). Whilst Turtle may not be too much of a surprise with his 'In the Parker', I never had any intention of stopping the Hemmes train at third so he too could round the bases from hit to join Turtle in the 'Home Run Club'.

Andrew Hemmes got up on the hill to start this off, and threw hard. Still a bit wild as we have grown a little used to but we are hoping with a bit of love, he could start to dominate from that spot on the ground. The great man Daniel Wood came in to relieve for a dig and again threw well - might have to give up on his junior catching duties so he can pitch a bit more in the arvo? And in what will likely be my only outing for the season, I too had a hurl, which I think the opposition were pleased to have something coming at a speed they could smash around - which they did!!

Nice job lads. Got it done in what I think might be the highest score I have played in.

Just a footnote: Our last 6 batting innings we have scored 10, 9, 6, 13, 5, 12 = 55 runs = average of 9.1 runs per innings = very impressive!!!!!

Next week is a 1PM game at Ormond.

Quinny

Round 3 - Berwick 19 def. Sandringham 16.

Holy Moly Batman - what the hell happened here? This one was definitely a weird one and one that will be remembered for a while.

After being held scoreless in the first and getting the first two Sandy batters out, Sandy went on a hitting spree, scoring 8 runs (most earned). Nothing Jimmy could do on the hill, they just kept hitting the gaps.

Whilst we stemmed the flow, keeping them down to 1 run in each of the 2nd and 3rd, we still had not troubled the scorers - 10 zip and in deep deep trouble. And then ….

A hit, another hit, followed by a couple more and a couple of blips in the field and a couple of walks and we had 10 runs of our own and tied it all up. We had the momentum - but Sandy wasn't done yet. They came back with another 6 of their own. We got the lucky break to end the run blitz with an interference call going our way when a pass ball deflected of Woody's leg guards and rolled towards the on deck batter, who decided to give it a little tap towards Woody (nothing sinister, was just trying to be nice). But with a runner on base, you can't do that sonny Jim - runner YOU ARE OUT - SIDE AWAY!

So with a bit of luck on our side, we took to the batters box again - and she just rolled along where we had left off. 9 more runs so we go into the bottom of the last with a three run lead.

Batter 1 - good hit to right centre - looks safe and then Turtle makes a diving catch inches off the ground to get the first out.

Batter 2 - good hit to right centre - looks safe and then Turtle makes a diving catch inches off the ground to get the second out.

The next three batters get on (without any scoring) so it was nervous Nelly time for Al who was now on the hill. Another fly to centrefield but this time straight down Turtle's throat where he makes the catch - Cougars win!!!

Just a super game all round. Jimmy threw well with 5 strikeouts in 3.3 innings and Al was very cool on the hill following on. Admire Jimmy to keep persevering after the pounding he was copping in the first.

18 hits was a super effort, especially under the circumstances. Three of the young guns were the stars with the bat with Woody (4 RBI), Jimmy (3 RBI) Turtle (2 RBI) all having 3 hits for the game whilst Al and the coach had two each. Must also mention the performance of Daniel G who also chimed in with 2 hits and 3 RBI's.

But whilst you gotta score the runs, you gotta have some good D and Turtle probably was the difference between a win and a loss today with his heroics in the outfield (he did take another screamer earlier on in the game just for good measure). And what else made me smile, when after making the second catch in the last dig, as the batter rounded first and was heading back to the dugout, I heard him saying in a sooky lala voice "That guys catches everything". I was just waiting for the "It's not fair".

So win number one - good times ahead me thinks boys, good times ahead.

Quinny

Round 2 - Berwick 12 lost to Springvale 17.

The big hitting Springvale team turned up to Cyril ready and raring to go.

We got off to an ideal start getting on the board in the first to take the early lead, but the Lions got away from us in the 2nd, scoring 7 runs. We bounced back immediately with another 4 of our own to close the gap, but in the 4th, the visitors lit us up again, scoring another 10 runs to take it out to a 12 run lead.

Whilst we kept them quiet after that, the gap was too big, but to our credit we did bounce back with another 4 in the 4th and 3 in the 5th to at least make it interesting.

12 hits for the day was a vast improvement form the first week with Al, Jimmy, Turtle and the coach getting a couple each.

The pitchers gave up a couple too many walks, but generally threw OK. Jimmy started it off followed by Jamayne. Woody closed it out going the last two digs without giving up run.

There is light boys - hang in there.

Quinny

Round 1 - Berwick 2 lost to St. Kilda 26.

First game of the season was down at sunny St Kilda. Unfortunately Quinny was unavailable so Richard Gyton and Alan Pender took the reins. With a couple of others unavailable it looked like we’d be one short, but thanks to Jade Geaves for filling in. Jamayne worked hard on the mound for the first couple of digs and then Cam Gibbens made his summer senior pitching debut, followed by Alan Pender in the last inning. All pitchers did a great job, but it just wasn’t our day! Great game by Ben Westhorpe with 2 solid hits, a run and four catches at left field. The other run to Richard and an RBI to Troy. This is a completely different thirds team to last year and we are looking forward to a successful season once we have our full quota of players and find our groove!