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U12 METRO - MATCH REPORTS.

Round 7 - Wash-out.

Round 6 - Berwick 4 lost to UFTG 16.

Playing Upwey up on the school oval, the tone of the day was set early with Upwey scoring 7 runs in the first innings. Stephan opened up the pitching and pitched very well, unfortunately the Upwey team were up to the challenge, scattering a number of good hits and moving baserunners at every opportunity. We didn't have anywhere near the same start, with Harrison getting a hit but unfortunately no runs scoring.

Top of the second and Stephan continues to throw well, involved in all three outs and only conceding two further runs. Our batting improved in the second wit Jordan hitting a belter down the third base line for a double through the cones. Stephan and Ricky chimed in with a couple of infield hits to help us get two runs over the plate.

Jake started on the hill in the third and pitched OK, just needing to be a little more consistent, but for someone in their first season of pitching, he is showing the composure and talent to make a go of it. Upwey scored another 5 runs so the scoreboard was not looking good at this stage. We managed to scrap another run through a second hit to Jordan.

Top 4th and Jake continued pitching much better although the tigers were still getting runs over the plate. In comes Nash Moon for his first appearance as a catcher. He looked nervous during the warmup but his second pitch got the ideal result with the batter popping up to Harrison who took the catch and threw back to Regan who tagged the runner heading back to first for a nice double play. Again we struggled with the bat although Ricky hit a double up the middle.

Tough game for the Cougars but they were up against a well drilled outfit who probably took more advantage of the situations during the game.

Next week again we come up against Sandy B who we disappointingly drew with last time. Lets make it a win this week boys.

Round 5 - Bye

Round 4 - Berwick 20 draw with Sandringham B 20.

Although it wasn't a loss, I think everyone walked away disappointed with a draw, knowing that we probably were the better team than the Sandringham B team.

The Cougars started strongly again, with the top of the order getting some runs over the plate, whilst defensively, Jake was again handed the ball and did a solid job, striking out 2 and only giving up one run.

In the 2nd innings, our batters were patient in the box. We reinforce the importance of swinging at strikes and that's what we did, picking up a few hits amongst a number of walks to score another 5 runs. Unfortunately we couldn't back it up in the defence. Jake did get two of the outs for the innings through strikeouts, but he struggled to throw the strikes consistently and together with a couple of errors in the field, Sandy put on 5 runs before Regan came on to relieve, and struck out the first batter he faced - the first batter he has ever faced!!! (Coach starts rubbing his hands - what a find - he hits, he pitches - yippee!!!).

Up by 1 run, the third innings was probably our best batting innings for the season. We scored the 7 runs with only 1 out, with no errors from the opposition and 5 hits for the innings, including consecutive doubles to start the dig by Harrison, Noah & Regan.

Regan started the Sandy innings where he left off, striking out the first & third batters of the innings. Unfortunately, things went a little wayward from there. Amongst two scattered hits, Regan was unable to find the strike zone regularly enough and the patient bats of Sandy accumulated enough walks to match our 7 runs. We head into the fourth still one up.

With the pitching of both sides struggling to find regular strikes, the game was moving very slowly so it looked like this was going to be the last innings. Two walks followed by a hit to Jordan got us underway again, and with the assistance of another double to Harrison and a hit to Noah, we finished the innings with 6 runs, leaving us 7 in front with them to bat. Can't lose it, but can we win it???

It seems not.

With one down and 3 runs across the plate, Jordan took the ball and looked comfortable. Jordan often got two strikes early on the batters, and managed to strike out one batter, but also could regularly throw that third strike. Sandy had packed up their bats in the last, with their last 5 batters not swinging at a single pitch, even though 7 strikes go by as well as a number of very, very , very, very close pitches that were just not called our way.

Anyway, the game clearly showed us that the ability to simply throw strikes will win you games at this level. Well done boys. We could have taken the option to just stand there and watch walk after walk after walk but we didn't, we swung at strikes. When we are up against the better teams, this aggressive style will see us in a better position to take them on.

Stephan was again outstanding with the bat, with another 3 hits (8 in 3 games), Harrison & Noah with two each and Regan, Jordan, Max & Ricky with one each.

Awards this week to Stephan for his all-round performance, Harrison for a great job behind the plate and Max for his first hit of the season (unlucky not to have two with a hard hit line drive being snapped up by the 3rd baseman).

Have a rest this week lads - we have the bye.

Quinny

Round 2 - Berwick 5 lost to Waverley Wildcats 21.

Tough day for the LL Metro team this week, up against the always well drilled Waverley team. Playing up at the school oval, there were a few little ground issues but we managed to get underway on time.

Only one of our players have played H&A competitions in the summer previously and with only three training sessions as a group, I have to say, I was a bit nervous about how we were going to go. But to the boys credit, they did really well and competed as best they could, which is all I can ask for.

In the batting box, I had asked all the boys to get in there and swing the bat and that's what they did. In the first innings we were three up three down but all hit the ball into play, unfortunately straight back to the pitcher. There were few called strikes against our boys which showed a willingness to have a go and there was some good contact hitting with Ricky claiming the first RBI for the season with a hit up the middle with bases loaded.

Jake started on the hill and to be expected, he was very nervous. It took him a little time to get settled, but got into some rhythm and was throwing strikes, getting the Waverley boys swinging the bat. In the second innings, the boys only gave up one run, earning the three outs playing solid baseball, with Harrison taking a nice fly ball in the outfield, Stephan fielding a ground ball and making a strong throw to first, and Jack the same at second base. Jayden did a fantastic job at first base, catching everything that was thrown to him as well as fielding a ground ball and playing the base himself. Jordan also did very well behind the plate.

Stephan and Harrison both came in for a pitch after Jake and struggled to consistently find the strike zone, but that is something we will work on at training. Both of these boys have tremendous arms for their age and I am sure that if they can find the spot, will trouble the majority of teams with their speed.

Well done boys, I am really proud of the way you stuck it out right up to the end. If we work hard at training and refine our skills and concentrate on doing what we have to do, I am sure we will have a fun and competitive season. But just remember, the game starts from the time we start our warmup so we need to be switched on from then, ready to get into the game.

This weeks encouragement awards were given to Jake, Jayden & Ricky.

Thanks to Marg for umpiring. She was a bit hesitant but did a fine job. Also a thanks to the parents for assisting in the set up and packing up (the school has already been in contact thanking us for leaving the area with no rubbish left lying around whatsoever) and to Brett who has offered to assist me at training and on game days. Also, a thanks to Richard & Adam Silva and Grant & Sam Beasley for coming down on Saturday afternoon and mowing an infield and marking out the playing ground for us. Much appreciated.

Paul Quinn