Post by perfeckt on Nov 20, 2015 18:09:22 GMT 10
Round 10 sees the time for settling into to the VSBL 2015/16 season done and dusted.
The Senior Men's Division 1 has played out 33% of the season leaving 18 games to play before finals.
9 games of wins and losses that can't be reversed.
Although there seems to be a clear indication at the top of table as to who are the front runners there are still many clubs that have not faced each other in the heat of battle yet in this split conference system.
It's possible but not probable that 1 or 2 of the seasons winningest clubs don't get to play finals ball.
Melbourne have just suffered 2 winless games in a row, a loss and a draw to fellow cross conference leaders Geelong but sit on top of their side of the draw at 7-1-1 ahead of Blackburn who are now at 6-3 after a stunning loss to Sunshine in Round 9.
Geelong are also atop their side of the draw with a 7-1-1 record and have Essendon snapping at their heels in 2nd. place by only half a game, 7-2.
Cheltenham and Waverley are now 3rd and 4th. respectively on Melbourne's side of the draw after the Rustlers downed the Wildcats twice on the trot.
On the other ladder 3rd. and 4th. spots are now occupied by Newport then Sandringham.
Newport holds a 5-4 winning ratio while the other 3 teams in top four positions on their ladders are at 4-5.
It's worth remembering however that no team has played against the entire field as yet and it's interesting to note that clubs like Geelong and Blackburn have not yet squared off. Melbourne are yet to face Essendon. Cheltenham v. Newport is still to be played. In fact, each team in the league go into the middle of the season having not seen the colours of 4 other clubs.
So although the time for teams settling in has expired expect to see both ladders unsettled for quite some time.
CHELTENHAM Rustlers and SANDRINGHAM Royals have not crossed the Nepean Hwy. so far this season to meet but that will change for the traditional rivals when they play in an always highly anticipated local derby at 'The Farm' this weekend.
Both teams have a won 4 games and lost 5 and seem to be evenly matched. Chelt' are on a 3 game winning streak and Sandy will be keen end that streak with their own streak of 3 after defeating Waverley in Rounds 8 and 9.
Both will head into the clash with confidence.
Bryan Kloppe from the Rustlers is having a time of it on the mound boasting a season ERA of a miserly 2.63 after 8 games.
Spencer Jack from the Royals is another 8 gamer and is also loathe to give up hits with his offering of 2.84.
The Royals also have Kyong soo Jeon pitching 2.08 after 6 and Braydon McKonky who is on the comeback trail but the Rustlers also have the ever dangerous experience of Adam Blackley with a 6 game ERA of 3.69 and experienced Kable Hogben. After that though both bullpens look a little underwhelming on the sheets but that doesn't always show the depth through to the reserves.
Cheltenham's Paul Rutgers is leading the way for the Rustlers batting with an average of .368 and George Carllil close behind on .346. The experience of Rutgers shows in the balls that he doesn't hit and his on-base percentage is a very handy .429.
Sandringhams Ryan Morris .343 and Jordan Barnett .321 spearhead the Royals batting line-up with Jake Sinclair .182 in able support with an on base average of .406 demonstrating his understanding of, 'Know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em'.
Both teams have a mix of youth,experience and (this weekend especially) passion. Several experienced players from both teams are solid but yet to really fire up in the batting box this season.
Names like Tony Cevec, Andrew Gribbins, Jake Wonnacott, Brett Curnow, Ben Leslie and David Armstrong, just to name a few , are in possession of poste .200 BA's and can flare at any time.
This game could well be decided by fielding errors.
The Rustlers this week have the home advantage but these two clubs meet again when Cheltenham tip toe to Tulip st. and the Jack Gulliano Field for the mid-week rematch.
My guess is for Cheltenham to win at home in Round 10 and Sandringham to win at home in Round 11.
One apiece in two close games. It would be a fitting tribute to the legacy of these two clubs' rivalry.
As for the rest of this weekends games? Blood will be spilt, the dogs of war are barking and there is a 1/3 of the season finished never to return.
Every game counts.
* This report has been approved by Pauline Hanson, Clive Palmer and the B.L.T. Sandwich Corporation under advice and with proviso's from Hungadunger, Hungadunger, Hungadunger & McCormick.
The Senior Men's Division 1 has played out 33% of the season leaving 18 games to play before finals.
9 games of wins and losses that can't be reversed.
Although there seems to be a clear indication at the top of table as to who are the front runners there are still many clubs that have not faced each other in the heat of battle yet in this split conference system.
It's possible but not probable that 1 or 2 of the seasons winningest clubs don't get to play finals ball.
Melbourne have just suffered 2 winless games in a row, a loss and a draw to fellow cross conference leaders Geelong but sit on top of their side of the draw at 7-1-1 ahead of Blackburn who are now at 6-3 after a stunning loss to Sunshine in Round 9.
Geelong are also atop their side of the draw with a 7-1-1 record and have Essendon snapping at their heels in 2nd. place by only half a game, 7-2.
Cheltenham and Waverley are now 3rd and 4th. respectively on Melbourne's side of the draw after the Rustlers downed the Wildcats twice on the trot.
On the other ladder 3rd. and 4th. spots are now occupied by Newport then Sandringham.
Newport holds a 5-4 winning ratio while the other 3 teams in top four positions on their ladders are at 4-5.
It's worth remembering however that no team has played against the entire field as yet and it's interesting to note that clubs like Geelong and Blackburn have not yet squared off. Melbourne are yet to face Essendon. Cheltenham v. Newport is still to be played. In fact, each team in the league go into the middle of the season having not seen the colours of 4 other clubs.
So although the time for teams settling in has expired expect to see both ladders unsettled for quite some time.
CHELTENHAM Rustlers and SANDRINGHAM Royals have not crossed the Nepean Hwy. so far this season to meet but that will change for the traditional rivals when they play in an always highly anticipated local derby at 'The Farm' this weekend.
Both teams have a won 4 games and lost 5 and seem to be evenly matched. Chelt' are on a 3 game winning streak and Sandy will be keen end that streak with their own streak of 3 after defeating Waverley in Rounds 8 and 9.
Both will head into the clash with confidence.
Bryan Kloppe from the Rustlers is having a time of it on the mound boasting a season ERA of a miserly 2.63 after 8 games.
Spencer Jack from the Royals is another 8 gamer and is also loathe to give up hits with his offering of 2.84.
The Royals also have Kyong soo Jeon pitching 2.08 after 6 and Braydon McKonky who is on the comeback trail but the Rustlers also have the ever dangerous experience of Adam Blackley with a 6 game ERA of 3.69 and experienced Kable Hogben. After that though both bullpens look a little underwhelming on the sheets but that doesn't always show the depth through to the reserves.
Cheltenham's Paul Rutgers is leading the way for the Rustlers batting with an average of .368 and George Carllil close behind on .346. The experience of Rutgers shows in the balls that he doesn't hit and his on-base percentage is a very handy .429.
Sandringhams Ryan Morris .343 and Jordan Barnett .321 spearhead the Royals batting line-up with Jake Sinclair .182 in able support with an on base average of .406 demonstrating his understanding of, 'Know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em'.
Both teams have a mix of youth,experience and (this weekend especially) passion. Several experienced players from both teams are solid but yet to really fire up in the batting box this season.
Names like Tony Cevec, Andrew Gribbins, Jake Wonnacott, Brett Curnow, Ben Leslie and David Armstrong, just to name a few , are in possession of poste .200 BA's and can flare at any time.
This game could well be decided by fielding errors.
The Rustlers this week have the home advantage but these two clubs meet again when Cheltenham tip toe to Tulip st. and the Jack Gulliano Field for the mid-week rematch.
My guess is for Cheltenham to win at home in Round 10 and Sandringham to win at home in Round 11.
One apiece in two close games. It would be a fitting tribute to the legacy of these two clubs' rivalry.
As for the rest of this weekends games? Blood will be spilt, the dogs of war are barking and there is a 1/3 of the season finished never to return.
Every game counts.
* This report has been approved by Pauline Hanson, Clive Palmer and the B.L.T. Sandwich Corporation under advice and with proviso's from Hungadunger, Hungadunger, Hungadunger & McCormick.
