The 2019/20 VSBL Division 4 season commenced on Sunday with some big games, as reigning premiers Waverley Black (East) and Mitchell Majors Yellow (North West) started with strong performances.
DIVISION FOUR EAST
St Kilda Saints v Monash University Farmers
Monash University were too powerful for St Kilda in this matchup to kickstart Division 4 East, beating the Saints 12-3.
St Kilda scored three runs to highlight their intention to start strongly but Monash Uni were keen to upstage the Saints and did so scoring seven in their first inning.
The Saints failed to score in the next five digs while the Farmers contributed five more in the fourth and fifth. St Kilda will have the chance to improve and put together a great winning performance against Malvern this weekend, led by Team Manager Geoff Leonard.
Waverley Wildcats RED v Waverley Wildcats BLACK
The two Waverley teams fought each other this weekend but it was Black who got bragging rights, beating Red 7-2.
Waverley Red’s runs came in the final inning when the game seemed gone, especially since Waverley Black scored seven before that time including four in the first dig. Feeling confident after winning the premiership last season, Waverley Black will be a team to beat in this competition.
Melbourne Demons v Blackburn Orioles
Melbourne came out with a specific gameplan and their attacking style saw them pile on 18 runs to the Orioles four.
It was a tough first two innings with the Orioles able to match the Demons score at each end of the inning.
The Demons were better defensively after the second inning though with 15 runs coming from their next three digs while Blackburn managed one in their final chance to come back, but it wasn't enough to make up the deep deficit.
Malvern Braves v Fitzroy Lions GOLD
Fitzroy provided plenty of highlights in their huge 19-5 win over Malvern.
Malvern looked good for the most part, gaining a four-run lead before Fitzroy Gold inflicted a tough few innings onto the Braves, scoring 19 runs across three frames. Congratulations were in order for Fitzroy's Chuck Ratnayake for going yard in their massive victory.
DIVISION FOUR NORTH WEST
Fitzroy Lions MAROON v Essendon BOMBERS
Essendon Bombers went down to Fitzroy Maroon 6-10 in this first-up matchup.
Despite leading 5-3 heading into the fourth, Maroon brought in seven runs in the fourth to push past the Bombers.
Footscray Bulldogs BLUE v Footscray Bulldogs RED
A strong second inning from Footscray Red was enough of a distance between them and Footscray Blue, the final score being 12-1.
Blue got their first and only run in the first dig but Red scored 12 unanswered runs within the second and fourth innings to claim to victory.
Mitchell Majors YELLOW v Fitzroy Lions BLUE
Mitchell Majors Yellow were able to hold off a strong fightback by Fitzroy Blue, winning 12-11.
Fitzroy Blue jumped on the board first before Mitchell Majors Yellow got away to a 12-4 lead heading into the bottom of the fifth.
Although they ultimately fell short by one run, Fitzroy displayed perseverance as they came through with seven runs in the fifth.
Footscray Bulldogs WHITE v Mitchell Majors BLACK
Footscray Bulldogs White got off to a hot start, putting Mitchell Majors Black on the backfoot early. By the end of the game, Footscray White had secured a 10-4 victory.
Footscray White got out to an eight-run headstart before Mitchell Majors Black got on the board themselves. A few extra runs extended the margin and Footscray White came out on top.
North Coburg Rebels GOLD v North Coburg Rebels MAROON
It was a historic day at Parker Reserve as North Coburg fielded two summer teams for the first time. The exciting matchup saw the Gold side get lots of runners on base as they cruised to a 19-6 win over the Maroon Rebels.
17 runs were scored by Gold within the first three innings, but however many runs Maroon tried to bat in, it was not enough to catch up.
Essendon JETS v BYE
DIVISION FOUR SOUTH
Pakenham Pumas v Ormond Glenhuntly
After the first inning, this game had all the makings of each team toughing it out in a close one but Ormond Glenhuntly ran away with a 16-6 win over Pakenham.
The game started off with a multitude of runs coming in and at the end of the first, Ormond Glenhuntly were leading 5-4.
The runs started drying up for Pakenham who only scored two more runs for the match, while Ormond Glenhuntly scored another 11 between the second and fifth innings.
Moorabbin Panthers v Berwick City Cougars
FORFEIT
Monash University Farmers v BYE