With the final round of VSBL Division 3 before the break complete, Springvale leads in both the firsts and reserves as Ormond Glenhuntly Blue and Gold played off in some classic matchups this round. Games will continue next month as each team takes a well-earned break, ready to gear up for the second half of the season.
Division 3 Firsts
Pakenham Pumas 3 v Springvale Lions 15
Pakenham got the first three runs of the game in the second inning before Springvale took charge for the remainder of the contest.
A seven-run third inning for the Lions was just the starting point of a dominant offensive game, the Lions adding eight more across the next three innings.
The top-two matchup sees each team stay in the same positions; the Lions in first at 12-1 and the Pumas in second at 7-5-1. Pakenham take on Ormond Glenhuntly Gold next up and Springvale face Chelsea after the break.
North Western Titans 6 v Chelsea Dolphins 1
Chelsea got their game off to a good start, getting the first run of the game in the third inning before the Titans got things to go their way from then-on.
Two runs in the fourth took the lead and a further one in the fifth added to it before three runs in the seventh confirmed the result, as North Western Titans were able to shut down the Dolphins batters.
It was the Titans' third win of the season as they hold a 3-10 record going into the break, whereas Chelsea are fifth with a 5-8 record. The Titans will face Ormond Glenhuntly Blue next time while Chelsea will travel to Springvale.
Ormond GH Blue 5 v Ormond GH Gold 9
The battle of Ormond Glenhuntly, Gold got off to a hot start and never looked back, collecting five runs in their first chance at the plate.
Ormond Glenhuntly Blue cut the margin by three at the top of the third but Gold had other ideas, gathering three of their own at the bottom.
Another two runs were added to Blue's score in the fourth before the final run came to Gold in the sixth, Blue unable to get back on the scoreboard after the fourth.
Gold holds the lead over Blue on the ladder, Gold with a 6-7 record while Blue are a spot behind on 5-7-1. When the competition continues next month, Blue will play North Western Titans while Gold will play Pakenham.
Division 3 Reserves
Pakenham Pumas 2 v Springvale Lions 10
Pakenham got the first two runs of the game in the first and that's where the offence stopped for the Pumas as Springvale carried on, especially late.
The Lions only scored one in their first dig but three consecutive innings of three runs between the third and fifth innings was what they needed for the win.
Springvale hold top spot heading into the break with a 10-3 record while Pakenham are 3-8-2. The Lions face Chelsea next up while the Pumas will host Ormond Gold.
North Western Titans 3 v Chelsea Dolphins 15
Chelsea got out to a six-run lead over the first two innings before the Titans opened their account with two in the third.
However, the Dolphins took in five runs in their third dig as the lead was growing after each inning.
A one-run to four-run inning to Chelsea in the fifth was enough to steer the Dolphins to a win as they sit with a 6-7 record in fourth spot. The Titans first win has alluded them this year as they're 0-12-1 but will come out firing after the break against Ormond Blue. Chelsea meanwhile play Springvale.
Ormond GH Blue 11 v Ormond GH Gold 12
A very close game between Ormond Glenhuntly Blue and Gold, with Gold just pipping their opponents for a walkoff win in the sixth inning.
Scores were locked at two-all after the first, then Blue held a slender one-run lead after two innings, doubled in the fourth with another run and then two in the fifth.
Blue were leading 7-3 heading into the bottom of the fifth and that was when Gold evened the scores with a four-run dig.
Blue scored the same in the top of the fifth, hoping that would be enough but failing to shutout Gold who scored the required five for their 10th win of the season, taking them to a 10-3 record. Blue meanwhile sit third with a 8-4-1 record. Blue plays North Western Titans in the first game back, while Gold takes on Pakenham away.