The majority of this round's games were affected by rain which saw many wash outs across VSBL Women's Division 1, 2 and 3. Springvale remains on top in Women's Division 1 while Doncaster maintains a perfect 12-0 record in Women's Division 2. Melbourne has a couple of games leverage in Women's Division 3 East, while Cheltenham is holding onto first by the smallest of margins in the South conference and Sunshine has control in the West.
Women's Division 1 - Round 16
Doncaster Dragons v Essendon Bombers - WASH OUT
Sitting in second place, the Dragons would've liked to have distanced themselves further from third-placed Essendon, however the game was called off because of rain.
The 6-7 Bombers will face Footscray as they continue a fine season while it'll be a battle of the top-two when the Dragons take on Springvale who are only two wins in front.
Footscray Bulldogs v Springvale Lions - WASH OUT
Springvale is still atop the standings with an impressive 11-2-2 record while Footscray is searching for a win after this wash out due to the heavy downpour.
The Bulldogs will take to the field at home to Essendon next time around while the Lions host Doncaster in an exciting matchup.
Women's Division 2 - Round 14
Doncaster Dragons v Essendon Bombers - WASH OUT
The clash between the top-of-the-ladder Doncaster and the bottom team Essendon was washed out, meaning the Dragons keep their perfect 12-0 record intact and will want to make it 13-0 against fellow top-two team Springvale.
Meanwhile the Bombers will want to improve on their one win of the season when they take on Fitzroy next.
Footscray Bulldogs v Springvale Lions - WASH OUT
The Lions sit at 10-2 in second place after this wash out, while Footscray is 4-7-1. Next the Lions meet first place Doncaster in what is set to be a challenging matchup while Footscray will host Wheelers Hill, as the Bulldogs look to cement themselves in the top four.
Fitzroy Lions v Wheelers Hill Warriors - WASH OUT
Fitzroy and Wheelers Hill's game was called a washout as the Warriors keep pushing for a top-two spot.
The Lions sit at 2-10-1 ahead of a game against Essendon while Wheelers Hill has a 7-5, preparing to face Footscray.
Women's Division 3 East - Round 14
Doncaster Dragons 11 v Springvale Lions 4
Doncaster prevailed to put some distance in between them and the Lions on the ladder.
The third-placed Dragons had lost two in a row prior to this and will want to get back into the top two with a win over Mulgrave this weekend while for the Lions, they'll have to wait another week for a gameday due to the bye.
Mulgrave Rebels v Melbourne Demons - WASH OUT
Melbourne remains on top with a 9-1 record after this game was washed out, with Mulgrave sitting at 1-7 as the team's contention for finals runs out with three rounds to go.
Looking forward for these two teams though is Doncaster for the Rebels and Moorabbin for the Demons.
Moorabbin Panthers v BYE
Moorabbin had the bye this week and would be happy with the washouts, as they haven't affected the Panthers' standing on the ladder.
The second-placed Panthers are 7-3 heading into the next round where they'll play Melbourne away hoping to continue a three game winning streak with 10 plus runs in each of their past few games.
Women's Division 3 South - Round 14
Bonbeach St Chads Blue 13 v Bonbeach St Chads White 3
This game was able to be played, with the Blue team taking an early lead and never looking back.
Blue scored six in the first inning to White's three before managing a further seven in the second, all while keeping White scoreless at the bottom.
It was a win Blue definitely wanted to stay hot in the race, currently just short of first place by .091%. Bonbeach Blue has a 9-1 record ahead of a meeting with Berwick. Bonbeach White is at the other end of the ladder with a 2-9 record ahead of a bye.
Bronwyn James of Bonbeach says there were several key players in the game, including Maddy Raccosta as a relief pitcher. "She came in to close the game with her token cool, calm collectedness. Jess Walters as catcher never lets a thing through, and Brooke Tolley at short stop," James said. "All the Blue ladies got hits, putting the ball in play and running aggressively on base."
While there were plenty of good moments in this particular game, one fantastic play especially stands out to James. "Absolute highlight of the game was a ground ball fielded by Tolley at short stop with a hard slide on her knees to reach it and a behind the back glove flick to second, with Jo Myers turning the double play," James said. "There was a great team effort throughout and it was good to be back on the field, having not had a game since 2019."
The White team worked hard as well. "There was some great pitching by Lucy Appleton, carrying the team and putting the ball into play," James added. "Nicole Muller did a great job catching - she's a lefty and a learner so doing amazing. They also started making some good contact with the ball, facing up to two formidable pitchers."
Both teams are looking to finish strong, with the Blue side staring down finals. "It's been a pretty spectacular season for the Blue ladies so far and they are working hard to continue to improve every week. With a large contingent of girls who are new to the sport, I'm blown away every week at the skill and dedication that they are showing to their game," James said. "It's also very exciting as Bonbeach hasn't had a women's team make it to the grand final since the 90s, taking out the flag in 1995, so it would be something pretty amazing to get there and make a little bit of history!"
Bonbeach expects to make the most of the remainder of the season. "The next few weeks we plan to knuckle down, train hard, work on the fundamentals and continue to keep the great spirit of the Lady Jays flying high - lots of fun and lots of laughs!"
While there were plenty of good moments in this particular game, one fantastic play especially stands out to James. "Absolute highlight of the game was a ground ball fielded by Tolley at short stop with a hard slide on her knees to reach it and a behind the back glove flick to second, with Jo Myers turning the double play," James said. "There was a great team effort throughout and it was good to be back on the field, having not had a game since 2019."
The White team worked hard as well. "There was some great pitching by Lucy Appleton, carrying the team and putting the ball into play," James added. "Nicole Muller did a great job catching - she's a lefty and a learner so doing amazing. They also started making some good contact with the ball, facing up to two formidable pitchers."
Both teams are looking to finish strong, with the Blue side staring down finals. "It's been a pretty spectacular season for the Blue ladies so far and they are working hard to continue to improve every week. With a large contingent of girls who are new to the sport, I'm blown away every week at the skill and dedication that they are showing to their game," James said. "It's also very exciting as Bonbeach hasn't had a women's team make it to the grand final since the 90s, taking out the flag in 1995, so it would be something pretty amazing to get there and make a little bit of history!"
Bonbeach expects to make the most of the remainder of the season. "The next few weeks we plan to knuckle down, train hard, work on the fundamentals and continue to keep the great spirit of the Lady Jays flying high - lots of fun and lots of laughs!"
Pakenham Pumas Black FORFEIT v Sandringham Royals
The Royals are in third place with a 7-4 record, while the Pumas are still searching for their first win of the season and it could come against Pakenham White this weekend. Sandringham takes on a tough top Cheltenham side that's fresh off a break.
Pakenham Pumas White v Berwick City Cougars - WASH OUT
Two mid-placed teams searching for a positive result, the falling rain not helping either team's cause.
Pakenham White's 4-6 record can still see them play finals however they will need to start with a win over Pakenham Black this weekend. Berwick takes on Bonbeach and sit one place ahead of White with a 5-5 record.
Cheltenham Rustlers v BYE
The Rustlers will be fresh off a bye for their clash with fellow top-four challenger Sandringham.
The 9-1 Rustlers have bounced back from their round 10 loss to lead the competition and will want to stay ahead of the game.
Women's Division 3 West - Round 14
Geelong Baycats Blue 6 v North Western Titans 15
North Western Titans recorded a huge win over Geelong Blue on the weekend.
North Western's Coach Cameron Wilson says the team had all their bases covered, defensively and offensively with great plays and pitching. Kim Borg at shortstop and Julia Klieve at second base made a difference, as did pitcher Kate Rigby. Borg joined Debbie Said with big hits. "Deb broke the game open with a clutch two-out single scoring two whilst the game was in the balance," Wilson said. "Kim Borg came back into the lineup smoking the ball, hitting a double and a couple of singles to help break open the game. She also made some great plays in the later innings to keep Geelong off the base paths."
Wilson was pleased with the team's effort overall, which is important in the coming weeks with finals not far off. "It was another great outing on the hill from Kate Rigby, who continued to pound the zone in trying conditions to keep us in it all game," Wilson added. "The girls just need to keep focusing on having quality at bats and to continue to back themselves in the batters box."
North Western's Coach Cameron Wilson says the team had all their bases covered, defensively and offensively with great plays and pitching. Kim Borg at shortstop and Julia Klieve at second base made a difference, as did pitcher Kate Rigby. Borg joined Debbie Said with big hits. "Deb broke the game open with a clutch two-out single scoring two whilst the game was in the balance," Wilson said. "Kim Borg came back into the lineup smoking the ball, hitting a double and a couple of singles to help break open the game. She also made some great plays in the later innings to keep Geelong off the base paths."
Wilson was pleased with the team's effort overall, which is important in the coming weeks with finals not far off. "It was another great outing on the hill from Kate Rigby, who continued to pound the zone in trying conditions to keep us in it all game," Wilson added. "The girls just need to keep focusing on having quality at bats and to continue to back themselves in the batters box."
While a few games away from first place, the Titans are second with a 5-4-1 record ahead of a clash with Fitzroy. Baycats Blue hasn't won in three games and will have the bye to ponder how they'll approach the rest of the season as they sit third with a 6-5-1 record.
Fitzroy Lions 4 v Sunshine Eagles 9
A big come-from-behind victory for Sunshine kept the Eagles winning streak alive, with their last loss coming in round four.
Fitzroy drew first blood on the day, having three runs cross the plate at the top of the first, to which Sunshine could only managed two in response.
The Lions doubled the lead with one more run in the second before the Eagles unleashed, securing seven runs as they hit double digits in wins.
Facing the prospect of their second loss of the season, the Eagles ability to comeback highlighted their prowess on the league, sitting first ahead of a game with Geelong White.
Fitzroy meanwhile sits fourth with a 4-5-1 record and the Lions look comfortable to play finals although would like some momentum heading into that part of the season and will start with North Western Titans this weekend.
Geelong Baycats White v BYE
Baycats White had a bye this round as they collected their thoughts on how to end a season in which they've failed to win a game.on a high note, now facing a tough competitor in Sunshine this weekend.