Post by stuartcapel on Jul 22, 2011 8:32:01 GMT 10
If you cast your mind back to early weeks of the season, I brought up a few scenarios whereby there may be up to five teams tied for the lead in the DBA's A1 competition. They were, for the most part, ponderings that even Darryl Kerrigan would have said that I was 'dreaming' about, however, they did go to demonstrate just how close the A1 competition has been throughout the year.
Fast forward to the present, and it would appear that while the top two teams (Dingley and Cheltenham) are safely into the finals for 2011, Berwick, Frankston, Dandenong and Bonbeach are still fighting for two the remaining positions in the top four.
Just over 30 days ago, Berwick sat proudly atop the DBA A1 ladder, outright leaders by a point, and some seven points clear of Bonbeach in fifth and eight points clear of Dandenong in sixth.
Since that time however, the Dodgers have slumped, winning once, drawing once and losing three times, and now find themselves in third on fifteen points, with Frankston and Dandenong just a point behind, with Bonbeach just two points behind the Dodgers.
Entering Saturday's fixtures, should the round see all three away teams all triumph, then the Dodgers will fall all the way to sixth position, with the idle Mornington the only team separating the Dodgers from the bottom of the table. What a fall that would be for a team that has played off in the last two A1 Grand Finals.
The Dodgers this week hosts Bonbeach, who possess an excellent chance at entering the top four come the end of the round. While they are the away team, the Blue Jays are going up against a team in the midst of a form slump, and their two nearest rivals, Frankston and Dandenong are road underdogs this weekend. Berwick will move a step closer to securing a finals berth with a win on Saturday, but should they lose, third and fourth really do become somewhat of a lottery and it may even end up being a Steve Bradbury like situation, where the team that manages to keep its feet survives and enjoys a taste of September action.
Four points and a fair slice of percentage separates Cheltenham and Dandenong as the two teams head into battle at Farm Road on Saturday, however it can be argued that the two teams are matches a little more equally than their respective ladder positions suggest. In all, Cheltenham has won six and not won four matches this year, while the Couch Burners have won five and not won five, and while that is somewhat of a simplistic view of things, I do believe that this does tend to suggest a close one at Cheltenham this weekend. I'll take the home side, as I do think Chelt may well prove themselves to be the best team in the DBA come the finals, however Dandenong have the tools to succeed - but I have a question mark as to whether they can beat Chelt at Chelt.
Looking at Dingley’s stats, they’ve been exceptional when in the field, sans for one blow out to Cheltenham, where they conceded exactly have the runs they have allowed thus far in 2011. Aside from that single game, they have conceded scores of 1, 4, 0, 2, 4, 0, 0 and 1.
With this in mind, Frankston will certainly have to take the A game to Sandringham for Saturday’s match with the Dingoes, and I doubt even coach Jones knows just which version of his side will turn up to Tulip Street.
In all matches this season, seven of their ten matches have been decided by five runs or more, and with Dingley’s defence sure to keep the Frankston score down, the Tomatoes appear likely to have to ground out a result if they are to overcome Dingley, and with the Tomatoes having lose both low-scoring matches, there’s little that screams ‘pick-me’ as far as Frankston is concerned.
Dingley is top for a reason – they are a most improved side and have good team cohesion, and there’s no reason not to tip them to win on Saturday.
Down in B Grade, I’ll get the easy game out of the way, as Moorabbin should be far too strong for Ormond-Glenhuntly, who now languish in last place following their loss to Oakleigh last week.
As for the other games, well, there are no certainties for me among them.
I did call the top four a couple of weeks ago, however Carrum Downs appear determined to prove me wrong, as they have moved within a game of the top four, with Boneo in fourth firmly in their sights.
The Cardinals next challenge is Pakenham in a match which has been moved to Robertsons Road in Frankston due to the state of ‘The Basin’ in Carrum Downs.
Carrum Downs had an impressive victory at Chelsea on Sunday, however I think the ask of overcoming both the Dolphins and Pumas in a week may be too much for them.
Should Pakenham overcome the Cardinals, then Boneo can all but secure their place in the top four, however they face a tricky visit to Dingley, who ran Moorabbin all the way for nine innings last weekend.
The Dingoes have been excellent in four of their past five matches, winning two and losing narrowly to the top two teams, and they may just upset the Braves tomorrow.
Dandenong have seemingly hit form, and were impressive in beating Boneo down the freeway last weekend, however they are out of finals contention, but they can still play a spoiler role with matches against the top three teams remaining.
The Angels take on one of those top three in the form of Chelsea tomorrow, and the Dolphins, losers last week, will be keen to atone for their slip-up. Chelsea almost never lose two matches in a row these days, so they smart money would be with them, but are Dandenong going to prove they are the joker in the pack in the run home this year?
The final match sees Cheltenham host Oakleigh which after four rounds of the season would have been a monty to pick, however since Round 4, the Rustlers are 1-7 while Oakleigh is 2-6 including a win over a top four side in Pakenham.
While Chelt would be the safe pick, there’s something about their form, coupled with a small Oakleigh resurgence that actually makes me want to go the visitors this time around.
The women’s division heads to Footscray for the excellent hospitality that the Footscray Baseball Club always provides. Oh, and a couple of matches will be played as well.
The hosts, fresh off a fine result against Melbourne University last week, take on winless Sandringham in a game that the Bulldogs couldn’t be anything but red-hot favourites, while in the late game, Berwick should have enough in reserve to account for Monash University.
Good luck to all players, coaches and officials on the weekend.
Fast forward to the present, and it would appear that while the top two teams (Dingley and Cheltenham) are safely into the finals for 2011, Berwick, Frankston, Dandenong and Bonbeach are still fighting for two the remaining positions in the top four.
Just over 30 days ago, Berwick sat proudly atop the DBA A1 ladder, outright leaders by a point, and some seven points clear of Bonbeach in fifth and eight points clear of Dandenong in sixth.
Since that time however, the Dodgers have slumped, winning once, drawing once and losing three times, and now find themselves in third on fifteen points, with Frankston and Dandenong just a point behind, with Bonbeach just two points behind the Dodgers.
Entering Saturday's fixtures, should the round see all three away teams all triumph, then the Dodgers will fall all the way to sixth position, with the idle Mornington the only team separating the Dodgers from the bottom of the table. What a fall that would be for a team that has played off in the last two A1 Grand Finals.
The Dodgers this week hosts Bonbeach, who possess an excellent chance at entering the top four come the end of the round. While they are the away team, the Blue Jays are going up against a team in the midst of a form slump, and their two nearest rivals, Frankston and Dandenong are road underdogs this weekend. Berwick will move a step closer to securing a finals berth with a win on Saturday, but should they lose, third and fourth really do become somewhat of a lottery and it may even end up being a Steve Bradbury like situation, where the team that manages to keep its feet survives and enjoys a taste of September action.
Four points and a fair slice of percentage separates Cheltenham and Dandenong as the two teams head into battle at Farm Road on Saturday, however it can be argued that the two teams are matches a little more equally than their respective ladder positions suggest. In all, Cheltenham has won six and not won four matches this year, while the Couch Burners have won five and not won five, and while that is somewhat of a simplistic view of things, I do believe that this does tend to suggest a close one at Cheltenham this weekend. I'll take the home side, as I do think Chelt may well prove themselves to be the best team in the DBA come the finals, however Dandenong have the tools to succeed - but I have a question mark as to whether they can beat Chelt at Chelt.
Looking at Dingley’s stats, they’ve been exceptional when in the field, sans for one blow out to Cheltenham, where they conceded exactly have the runs they have allowed thus far in 2011. Aside from that single game, they have conceded scores of 1, 4, 0, 2, 4, 0, 0 and 1.
With this in mind, Frankston will certainly have to take the A game to Sandringham for Saturday’s match with the Dingoes, and I doubt even coach Jones knows just which version of his side will turn up to Tulip Street.
In all matches this season, seven of their ten matches have been decided by five runs or more, and with Dingley’s defence sure to keep the Frankston score down, the Tomatoes appear likely to have to ground out a result if they are to overcome Dingley, and with the Tomatoes having lose both low-scoring matches, there’s little that screams ‘pick-me’ as far as Frankston is concerned.
Dingley is top for a reason – they are a most improved side and have good team cohesion, and there’s no reason not to tip them to win on Saturday.
Down in B Grade, I’ll get the easy game out of the way, as Moorabbin should be far too strong for Ormond-Glenhuntly, who now languish in last place following their loss to Oakleigh last week.
As for the other games, well, there are no certainties for me among them.
I did call the top four a couple of weeks ago, however Carrum Downs appear determined to prove me wrong, as they have moved within a game of the top four, with Boneo in fourth firmly in their sights.
The Cardinals next challenge is Pakenham in a match which has been moved to Robertsons Road in Frankston due to the state of ‘The Basin’ in Carrum Downs.
Carrum Downs had an impressive victory at Chelsea on Sunday, however I think the ask of overcoming both the Dolphins and Pumas in a week may be too much for them.
Should Pakenham overcome the Cardinals, then Boneo can all but secure their place in the top four, however they face a tricky visit to Dingley, who ran Moorabbin all the way for nine innings last weekend.
The Dingoes have been excellent in four of their past five matches, winning two and losing narrowly to the top two teams, and they may just upset the Braves tomorrow.
Dandenong have seemingly hit form, and were impressive in beating Boneo down the freeway last weekend, however they are out of finals contention, but they can still play a spoiler role with matches against the top three teams remaining.
The Angels take on one of those top three in the form of Chelsea tomorrow, and the Dolphins, losers last week, will be keen to atone for their slip-up. Chelsea almost never lose two matches in a row these days, so they smart money would be with them, but are Dandenong going to prove they are the joker in the pack in the run home this year?
The final match sees Cheltenham host Oakleigh which after four rounds of the season would have been a monty to pick, however since Round 4, the Rustlers are 1-7 while Oakleigh is 2-6 including a win over a top four side in Pakenham.
While Chelt would be the safe pick, there’s something about their form, coupled with a small Oakleigh resurgence that actually makes me want to go the visitors this time around.
The women’s division heads to Footscray for the excellent hospitality that the Footscray Baseball Club always provides. Oh, and a couple of matches will be played as well.
The hosts, fresh off a fine result against Melbourne University last week, take on winless Sandringham in a game that the Bulldogs couldn’t be anything but red-hot favourites, while in the late game, Berwick should have enough in reserve to account for Monash University.
Good luck to all players, coaches and officials on the weekend.
