The 2020/21 VSBL Division 4 season opened with exciting matchups and big results as teams made the most of the return to play. There's two weeks left before the break as teams look to finish 2020 on a high note.
Division 4 East
Monash University Farmers 11 v Melbourne Demons Blue 5
The Farmers proved to be a challenge for the Demons, with Monash getting on base and taking care of Melbourne on the mound for the most part. The Demons will look for a win on the road at Upwey Ferntree Gully Gold while the Farmers could go 2-0 if they secure a win over Melbourne Red in round two.
Melbourne Demons Red 3 v Waverley Wildcats Black 19
Melbourne was kept quiet at the plate while Waverley ran wild, racking up the runs as the Wildcats displayed a similar dominance to last season. The Demons are at home v Monash and the Wildcats play Upwey Ferntree Gully Black for round two.
Waverley Wildcats White 6 v Blackburn Orioles 7
The Orioles stayed one step in front of the Wildcats to begin the season with an exciting win. Now Blackburn plays Mornington for round two and Waverley White hosts Doncaster after the Dragons' first round bye.
Upwey Ferntree Gully Tigers Black 3 v Waverley Wildcats Red 17
The Wildcats were too much to handle for the Tigers, cruising to a 14-run win to get the season started off right. The Tigers will aim for victory at home v Waverley Black while Waverley Red plays Malvern.
Mornington Pirates 9 v Malvern Braves 7
The Braves came close but ultimately it was Mornington's game. The Pirates will look to maintain the same level of offence as they host Blackburn in round two, while Malvern plays Waverley Red at home.
Division 4 North
Fitzroy Lions B 21 v Fitzroy Lions A 7
The two Fitzroy sides went head to head for a fun day on the field at Merri Park. For the next round, Fitzroy A hosts North Coburg B and Fitzroy B hosts Mitchell Majors B.
Mitchell Majors A 14 v North Coburg Rebels A 3
Mitchell Majors enjoyed a solid victory to open the season, taking down the Rebels with strong team batting and pitching. North Coburg A has another shot at a win when they play Mitchell Majors B in round two. Mitchell Majors A plays Fitzroy B next.
Mitchell Majors B 11 v North Coburg Rebels B 9
Mitchell Majors B came away with the win but it wasn't without a fight from the Rebels, who kept battling hard to stay within reach. North Coburg B plays Fitzroy A next at Merri Park while Mitchell Majors B hosts North Coburg A at home.
Division 4 South
Mordialloc Ducks 5 v Berwick City Cougars 11
The Ducks had to play catch up from the get-go when the Cougars scored seven their first time up. Mordialloc brought it within three but another run to Berwick made it a 8-4 ballgame after two. The Ducks would get just one more in the fifth while the Cougars scored two in the third and one in the fourth. Berwick goes to Pakenham and Mordialloc has a bye in round two.
Chelsea Dolphins 1 v Bonbeach Bluejays B 22
Runs were no issue for the Bluejays as they got started scoring early and never looked back. It was a 5-1 ballgame in favour of Bonbeach after one, and then the Bluejays had seven-run innings for the second and third. Two more runs in the fourth and one in the fifth helped Bonbeach to a huge final score. The Bluejays play the other Bonbeach side next while the Dolphins host St Kilda.
Pakenham Pumas 2 v Mornington Pirates 14
The Pirates took control of this game early, scoring five unanswered runs across the first two innings. Pakenham scored one in the third and one in the fifth but Mornington wasn't fazed, scoring three runs apiece in each of the last three innings. Mornington goes to Wheelers Hill and Pakenham hosts Berwick next.
Bonbeach A v Ormond Glenhuntly Hunters - FORFEIT
Wheelers Hill Warriors 6 v St Kilda Saints 4
A quiet opening inning gave way to scoring in the second, as the Warriors brought home four compared to just one for the Saints. Both teams scored once more in the third while the Warriors added another in the fifth and St Kilda tacked on two to fall just short. Wheelers Hill hosts Mornington and St Kilda visits Chelsea in the next round.
Division 4 West
Essendon Jets 3 v Newport Rams 14
The Rams were a force to be reckoned with, keeping the Jets quiet for the most part for a big opening round win. Newport plays the other Essendon side on Sunday while the Jets are off to Footscray.
Essendon Bombers 17 v Geelong Baycats A 3
Essendon opened the season with a comprehensive win at Geelong's home base. It's a Baycats v Baycats game on Saturday while Essendon hosts Newport.
Footscray Bulldogs 3 v Geelong Baycats B 15
The Baycats got the best of the Bulldogs thanks to RBIs from Nick Allen, Will Cavanagh and Sean Hughes. They play the other Baycats side on Saturday as Footscray hosts Essendon Jets.