Post by stuartcapel on Jun 16, 2011 23:30:08 GMT 10
Greetings all,
Following a long weekend where a majority of the DBA's playing members enjoyed three days off and a select few were triumphant down at Geelong in the winter carnival in a quiet, friendly tournament, everyone gets back to club action on Saturday, for Round Eight of the 2011 competition.
Six points separate the top six teams in the A1 Grade of the DBA, and while Berwick (12 points) would feel quite satisfied with their ladder position, I doubt Dandenong, who are sixth, would be panicking too much just a game and percentage behind Frankston who currently reside in fourth position.
While Cheltenham will enjoy a week off and the free points on offer in Round 8, Berwick should ensure that they do enough to overcome Mornington down at Pirate Cove.
Dingley won at Bonbeach on opening day and go in as favourites to beat the Blue Jays for the second time this season, but whatever Mark Richards does for away games seems to work for his team, with wins at Frankston (2-1), at Mornington (12-2) and a draw at Cheltenham (3-3) a fortnight ago constituting all the points they have earned on the diamond this year.
I’ll give Dingley the edge, however Bonbeach have proven themselves as road spoilers this season and could easily do so again on Saturday.
Opening day’s big surprise wasn’t that Frankston beat Dandenong, but the ease in which they did so, scoring the first 17 runs of the game en route to a 17-5 victory. I keep waiting for the Angels to hit form, coach Cashmore is still waiting for his team to find the level of performance and consistency that was so evident in 2010.
As soon as I stop picking Dandenong, for sure they are going to start playing consistent baseball and start climbing up the table. For Angels fans knowledge, I prefer cash payments in twenties. But here’s a freebie for the first week – Frankston to win.
Moorabbin only came back to the DBA fold this year, however they now sit alone atop the B1 ladder following their win at Dandenong last weekend coupled with Pakenham’s win down the freeway at Boneo.
The Panthers will face a tough challenge in the form of the Chelsea Dolphins on Saturday, and while the Dolphins eked out a one-run victory against Oakleigh two weekends ago, expect them to be up to the Moorabbin challenge on Saturday. A close game is on the cards, however the Panthers have the hot-hand and it’s best to stick with one of those.
Pakenham is in outright second position and should be in a position to take over top billing from the Panthers should they falter against Chelsea as the Pumas will go in as heavy favourites to beat Oakleigh.
Elsewhere, Boneo face a tricky visit to Cheltenham as they look to bounce back from last round's home loss, Carrum Downs, fresh off a big win over Dingley, will be looking for another big win when they take on Ormond-Glenhuntly, while I’ll officially call the season for the loser of Dingley and Dandenong as I can’t see the loser recovering and pushing for a top four position.
Good news for Simone Wearne – with Berwick having a bye and Hawthorn playing Saturday, she can sleep-in on Sunday. There are however, two women’s games being played on Sunday at Sandringham.
In the early game, Footscray should have enough fit bodies on the field (they don’t have any on the coaching staff it seems – sorry Kev) to beat Monash University, while Melbourne University will have more than enough in reserve to overcome Sandringham in the late game.
Good luck to all players, coaches and officials on the weekend.
Following a long weekend where a majority of the DBA's playing members enjoyed three days off and a select few were triumphant down at Geelong in the winter carnival in a quiet, friendly tournament, everyone gets back to club action on Saturday, for Round Eight of the 2011 competition.
Six points separate the top six teams in the A1 Grade of the DBA, and while Berwick (12 points) would feel quite satisfied with their ladder position, I doubt Dandenong, who are sixth, would be panicking too much just a game and percentage behind Frankston who currently reside in fourth position.
While Cheltenham will enjoy a week off and the free points on offer in Round 8, Berwick should ensure that they do enough to overcome Mornington down at Pirate Cove.
Dingley won at Bonbeach on opening day and go in as favourites to beat the Blue Jays for the second time this season, but whatever Mark Richards does for away games seems to work for his team, with wins at Frankston (2-1), at Mornington (12-2) and a draw at Cheltenham (3-3) a fortnight ago constituting all the points they have earned on the diamond this year.
I’ll give Dingley the edge, however Bonbeach have proven themselves as road spoilers this season and could easily do so again on Saturday.
Opening day’s big surprise wasn’t that Frankston beat Dandenong, but the ease in which they did so, scoring the first 17 runs of the game en route to a 17-5 victory. I keep waiting for the Angels to hit form, coach Cashmore is still waiting for his team to find the level of performance and consistency that was so evident in 2010.
As soon as I stop picking Dandenong, for sure they are going to start playing consistent baseball and start climbing up the table. For Angels fans knowledge, I prefer cash payments in twenties. But here’s a freebie for the first week – Frankston to win.
Moorabbin only came back to the DBA fold this year, however they now sit alone atop the B1 ladder following their win at Dandenong last weekend coupled with Pakenham’s win down the freeway at Boneo.
The Panthers will face a tough challenge in the form of the Chelsea Dolphins on Saturday, and while the Dolphins eked out a one-run victory against Oakleigh two weekends ago, expect them to be up to the Moorabbin challenge on Saturday. A close game is on the cards, however the Panthers have the hot-hand and it’s best to stick with one of those.
Pakenham is in outright second position and should be in a position to take over top billing from the Panthers should they falter against Chelsea as the Pumas will go in as heavy favourites to beat Oakleigh.
Elsewhere, Boneo face a tricky visit to Cheltenham as they look to bounce back from last round's home loss, Carrum Downs, fresh off a big win over Dingley, will be looking for another big win when they take on Ormond-Glenhuntly, while I’ll officially call the season for the loser of Dingley and Dandenong as I can’t see the loser recovering and pushing for a top four position.
Good news for Simone Wearne – with Berwick having a bye and Hawthorn playing Saturday, she can sleep-in on Sunday. There are however, two women’s games being played on Sunday at Sandringham.
In the early game, Footscray should have enough fit bodies on the field (they don’t have any on the coaching staff it seems – sorry Kev) to beat Monash University, while Melbourne University will have more than enough in reserve to overcome Sandringham in the late game.
Good luck to all players, coaches and officials on the weekend.
