Post by stuartcapel on Jul 1, 2011 8:56:49 GMT 10
Last week I wrote that almost any result in the Berwick-Cheltenham game would see Dingley jump to second position on the A1 table. What’s the old saying about best laid plans?
Despite Lucas Price registering four hits for the Dodgers, the game ended 4-4, meaning both teams took a point from the clash, which ensured that the two clubs would retain their top-two status. Dingley essentially moved a point closer to both at the top.
In the middle of the table, Dandenong as expected took the chocolates from Mornington, while Micah Burch weaved a web against a Frankston side who were well beaten on the day. For Mark Jones’ men, the week off seems to be coming at an opportune time.
With Frankston receiving the two free points, the weekend’s clash between Dandenong and Bonbeach takes on extra significance, with the loser to fall to sixth position and at least a game and a half behind the Tomatoes in fourth spot.
Dandenong’s been hitting well recently, having registered 10 and 12 hits in their past two matches, and up against Micah Burch, who threw well last weekend, there should be a good battle between bat and ball on that side, while for Bonbeach, they hit the ball hard(ish – I still reckon that fence was in Richo) last week, but without Jack Larner (hamstring), how they react to his absence will tell plenty about where this squad is at in 2011.
I was impressed enough with Bonbeach to tip them this weekend, however the bigger field at Couch Burner Stadium and the loss of Larner leans me towards Dandenong, who may not be happy that I tipped them. As I’ve stated before though – I accept bribes in the form of twenties.
With Cheltenham red-hot favourites to overcome Mornington, a weakened Berwick will visit Sandringham…yes, Sandringham, on Saturday to take on Dingley in an important match for both teams.
There will be no Adam Silva or Adam Da Silva for the Dodgers, with both up at the Academy (best of luck to both lads), so the Dodgers will be down a couple of personnel for match with a Dingley side that rode a four game winning run into last weekend’s off-week.
Coming back from the bye hasn’t been the easiest task so far in 2011, with teams coming off the bye having won just twice through the first eight rounds, however if the Dingoes are a legitimate contender in 2011, this is the sort of game they should be winning. Irvo’s boys have my tip this week – let’s see if they can walk the walk a top-two team is supposed to.
The top four in the B1 to me looks set, however Carrum Downs are on a three game winning streak and can make a substantial claim for real finals consideration when they pack a cut lunch for the visit to Boneo on Saturday.
The Cardinals victory over Cheltenham last weekend gave them outright fifth placing, however with Chelsea favoured to beat Ormond-Glenhuntly this weekend, a Dolphins win and a Cardinals loss would have Carrum Downs two games and percentage outside the top four, a substantial mountain to climb even at this point of the season.
Unfortunately for the Cardinals, the Braves are one of the top two teams for a reason, and should be good enough to record another home ‘W’ tomorrow.
Ormond-Glenhuntly upset the Dolphins at Edithvale Road earlier in the season, however I can’t see lightning striking twice. If it does, the Hunters will need to be swabbed for providing some really inconsistent form – they’re nearly as hard to predict as Dandenong, who should be better than their ladder position suggests. The Angels can pull within a point of sixth position when they face Cheltenham at Couch Burner Stadium on Saturday, and if Nathan Cook is back, fit and not too cold after another week in the warmth of Queensland, the Angels just might put a real spanner in the Rustlers finals chances.
Moorabbin lost a real tight one last week down at Pakenham, and are on the road again this weekend, however they should be too good for Oakleigh, while the Pumas will enjoy another home match on Saturday, when Dingley makes the gas-guzzling drive to Pumaville in a match where the Pumas cannot be anything but strong favourites.
The battle of the Universities headlines the women’s division on Sunday, with Monash and Melbourne going head-to-head at Ross Straw Field. Monash continue to battle away, but they just don’t have the firepower to really go with the top two teams at present. Expect Melbourne Uni to triumph here, and expect Berwick to do likewise against Footscray in what should be a good quality game of women’s baseball.
Good luck to all players, coaches and officials.
Despite Lucas Price registering four hits for the Dodgers, the game ended 4-4, meaning both teams took a point from the clash, which ensured that the two clubs would retain their top-two status. Dingley essentially moved a point closer to both at the top.
In the middle of the table, Dandenong as expected took the chocolates from Mornington, while Micah Burch weaved a web against a Frankston side who were well beaten on the day. For Mark Jones’ men, the week off seems to be coming at an opportune time.
With Frankston receiving the two free points, the weekend’s clash between Dandenong and Bonbeach takes on extra significance, with the loser to fall to sixth position and at least a game and a half behind the Tomatoes in fourth spot.
Dandenong’s been hitting well recently, having registered 10 and 12 hits in their past two matches, and up against Micah Burch, who threw well last weekend, there should be a good battle between bat and ball on that side, while for Bonbeach, they hit the ball hard(ish – I still reckon that fence was in Richo) last week, but without Jack Larner (hamstring), how they react to his absence will tell plenty about where this squad is at in 2011.
I was impressed enough with Bonbeach to tip them this weekend, however the bigger field at Couch Burner Stadium and the loss of Larner leans me towards Dandenong, who may not be happy that I tipped them. As I’ve stated before though – I accept bribes in the form of twenties.
With Cheltenham red-hot favourites to overcome Mornington, a weakened Berwick will visit Sandringham…yes, Sandringham, on Saturday to take on Dingley in an important match for both teams.
There will be no Adam Silva or Adam Da Silva for the Dodgers, with both up at the Academy (best of luck to both lads), so the Dodgers will be down a couple of personnel for match with a Dingley side that rode a four game winning run into last weekend’s off-week.
Coming back from the bye hasn’t been the easiest task so far in 2011, with teams coming off the bye having won just twice through the first eight rounds, however if the Dingoes are a legitimate contender in 2011, this is the sort of game they should be winning. Irvo’s boys have my tip this week – let’s see if they can walk the walk a top-two team is supposed to.
The top four in the B1 to me looks set, however Carrum Downs are on a three game winning streak and can make a substantial claim for real finals consideration when they pack a cut lunch for the visit to Boneo on Saturday.
The Cardinals victory over Cheltenham last weekend gave them outright fifth placing, however with Chelsea favoured to beat Ormond-Glenhuntly this weekend, a Dolphins win and a Cardinals loss would have Carrum Downs two games and percentage outside the top four, a substantial mountain to climb even at this point of the season.
Unfortunately for the Cardinals, the Braves are one of the top two teams for a reason, and should be good enough to record another home ‘W’ tomorrow.
Ormond-Glenhuntly upset the Dolphins at Edithvale Road earlier in the season, however I can’t see lightning striking twice. If it does, the Hunters will need to be swabbed for providing some really inconsistent form – they’re nearly as hard to predict as Dandenong, who should be better than their ladder position suggests. The Angels can pull within a point of sixth position when they face Cheltenham at Couch Burner Stadium on Saturday, and if Nathan Cook is back, fit and not too cold after another week in the warmth of Queensland, the Angels just might put a real spanner in the Rustlers finals chances.
Moorabbin lost a real tight one last week down at Pakenham, and are on the road again this weekend, however they should be too good for Oakleigh, while the Pumas will enjoy another home match on Saturday, when Dingley makes the gas-guzzling drive to Pumaville in a match where the Pumas cannot be anything but strong favourites.
The battle of the Universities headlines the women’s division on Sunday, with Monash and Melbourne going head-to-head at Ross Straw Field. Monash continue to battle away, but they just don’t have the firepower to really go with the top two teams at present. Expect Melbourne Uni to triumph here, and expect Berwick to do likewise against Footscray in what should be a good quality game of women’s baseball.
Good luck to all players, coaches and officials.
