Top of the ladder clash

Bacchus Marsh Tigers Baseball

Last Saturday’s round was the midseason battle between the top teams in Division 3 of the Geelong Baseball Association, Bacchus Marsh Tigers v Alfredton A’s. This was always going to be a tight battle, and it turned into a pitching duel between Dan Hamilton (Alfredton) facing 29 batters with 18 strike outs and James Early (Tigers) facing 30 batters with 10 strike outs.

Neither team scored until the fourth innings, a single run each, the Tigers from Nathan Gell’s home run. The teams scored again in the sixth innings which put the score at two all. This time the Tigers run came from some excellent but risky base running by Tate Heiskanen. With the game on the line in the top of the seventh innings the BM Tigers put together some solid fielding with short stop throwing out all three of the A’s batters at first base. Then they applied pressure in the bottom of the seventh with a hit to left field by Mick Corbett. A wild throw to first base by Dan Hamilton, the A’s pitcher advanced Mick to 3rd base, and he was brought home by a perfectly placed hit to right field by Sam De Leon giving the Tigers their first lead of the game 3 – 2. Top of the eighth and with time running out the Tigers called on Shannon Hornstra as their closing pitcher, who supplied 3 up 3 down, and time was called with BM Tigers the winners of the day.

Hits

Tigers - Nathan Gell (HR + double), Mick Corbett, Sam DeLeon

By Todd Whelan

Undermanned Darley were no match for an impressive North Ballarat, going down by 57 points at Mars Stadium.

It was the Devils’ first loss of the season following a 7-0 run on the road.

While some pundits had the Devils favoured to make it eight wins on the bounce, the writing for some was on the wall, suggesting Dan Jordan’s men were heading toward a first loss of the season.

Prized recruit Billy Myers (ankle), Mace Cousins (Geelong VFL), Bailey Young (shoulder), Luther Baker (hamstring) and Jake Ancrum (overseas) all missed, shedding light on the Devils’ vulnerabilities without their top end.

Brett Bewley and Shane Page flew the flag for the jumper despite the loss, earning praise from Jordan in the aftermath.

While it was a day to forget for the Black and White, the Devils maintain top spot on the BFNL ladder on percentage at the halfway mark with a bookend of home games scheduled upon the completion of the club’s new facility.

The Devils managed just 3.10 for the match, mirroring the 13 shots on goal recorded in last year’s 78-point loss at the same venue. The merit of the Roosters’ win gives every indication Brendan McCartney’s group will be there at the business end, extending their impressive 15-3 win loss record at home under the astute mentor. Roosters forward and current BFNL leading goalkicker Jamie Quick (Geelong VFL listed) was the star of the show finishing with seven goals.

For the Devils, the notable absence of key personnel paved the way for Under 17 product Chase Sanders to make his debut. The unlikelihood of reinforcements for the Devils ahead of Saturday’s highly anticipated return to Darley Park against seventh placed Redan gives every indication Jordan’s ladder leaders are every bit up to their eyeballs, confronted with another danger game.

The jury rests.

What the coaches said:

Jordan (Darley); “(We were) outplayed around the contest and how to enter inside 50 in the windy conditions. Pleasing to come away fully aware we’ve plenty to work on. Full credit to North Ballarat and the pressure they applied in a real four quarter effort.”

McCartney (N/Ballarat); “We did a good job with the difficult parts of the game today. Our contest, pressure and defending was very good. We took our chances when the game opened up. (In fairness) Darley were undermanned pre and during the game. They are a very good club.”

*Darley meets Redan in Apple 98.5FM’s Match of the Round LIVE from 2pm. Audio and vision available for streaming via the BFNL Match Centre website.

Darley 3.10-28 lost to North Ballarat 12.13-85.

Darley (Best); B.Bewley, S.Page, B.Sullivan, M.Brett. Darley (Goals); J. Cadman, D. Matricardi, C. Sanders.

Harness Highlights

Results – W/e Friday 16 June

Former New Zealander Guest Artist was ultra impressive in taking the Woodlands Stud 3Y0 Maiden Pace over 2200 metres at Ballarat last Thursday, for Gordon father and son Tim and Darby McGuigan.

A gelded son of Art Major and Hear The Cheers, Guest Artist was first up since October last year and after being restrained from gate three on the second line settled five back in the moving line after John Vincent led from the pole. Set alight mid-race to park outside the leader, Guest Artist cruised to the front in the last lap, careering away with the race in his keeping to score by 9.2 metres in advance of Neatntidy (four wide home turn) from the tail, with first starter Imagination

(one/two) third 2.3 metres back. The mile rate 2-00.3.

Four year old home bred Danny BoucheaKilmainham 4Y0 gelding Scar raced by Dunnstown’s Murphy family was a tough victor of the Decoglaze Glass Splashbacks Trotters Mobile over 2200 metres. Trained and driven by David, Scar (gate four) arrested the lead away from Aunty Ethal inside him shortly after the start and despite being pressured by Major Max in a two horse war from the home turn, fought on like a caged lion after being headed in the straight to prevail by a head in a thrilling finish. Bee Bee Beroc (four pegs) was third 17 metres away. The mile rate 2-02.3.

Round 9 Darley V North Ballarat

Football

The U19’s started the day off tremendously with a solid 35 point win over North Ballarat, however the Reserves and Seniors sides weren’t so lucky. The reserves struggled in the windy conditions and went down by 28 points. The seniors had a tough day, going down by 57 points.

Under 19’s Darley 10.5.65 d North Ballarat

4.8.32 GOALS: Cooper Murley 3, Koby Churchill 2, Lachlan Ingham, Nick Cadman 1, Cooper ParsonsJones, Jack Wilson

BEST: Cooper Murley, Cooper Parsons-Jones, Nick Cadman, Cohan Edwards, Deacon Fawcett,

Netball

Koby Churchill Reserves:

North Ballarat 9.13.67 d Darley

5.9.39 GOALS: Jyson Fawcett 1, Jett Fuller, Bradley Layton, James McNair, Brayden Wood

BEST: Tim Tyler, Zane Dix, Ben Crawford, Liam Noonan, Alex

Sweet, Ryan Densley

Seniors

North Ballarat 12.13.85 d Darley

3.10.28

GOALS: Joel Cadman 1, Darcy Matricardi, Chase Sanders

BEST: Brett Bewley, Shane Page, Billy Sullivan

This was the first time the U19’s have played North since the 2022 grand final and it was a great result with a 14 point win, maintaining their top position on the ladder. Despite having only seven players along with the windy conditions, the girls showed both strength and composure.

The E grade girls went into this game knowing it would be a hard one versing the top team and they managed to keep the scores close. Despite the shocking weather conditions, the girls put in their best efforts playing hard but unfortunately didn’t come home with the win.

The D grade girls played hard for all 4 quarters with everyone playing their role. There were some positive passages of play but the poor weather conditions made it difficult for the shooters and unfortunately, they didn’t win the match.

The C graders played a fantastic team game and worked well as an entire defensive unit and won convincingly.

The B graders gave it their all and managed to fight back after a very slow first quarter. It was a great game by the girls who were unlucky in the last quarter

The A grade girls came out with an impressive win, in the grand final rematch, to secure their spot on top of the ladder. The team showed great composure and skill. Overall, it was an excellent game and the girls showed they are strong contenders in this league.

19’s & Under

Darley 34 d North Ballarat 20

GOALS: Sarah Mason, Bridie Shanahan

BEST: Bridie Shanahan, Maddy Ierino

C-Grade

Darley 42 d North Ballarat 12

GOALS: Renee Hulls, Lauren Martin

BEST: Alyssa Normington, Ava Densley

E-Grade

North Ballarat 19 d Darley 7

GOALS: Takeya Tanner, Chloe Elcoat, Isabella Di Mieri

BEST: Tahlia Nare, Zoe Attard

B-Grade

North Ballarat 38 d Darley 32

GOALS: Bridie Shanahan, Sarah Mason

BEST: Holly Barrett, Bridie Shanahan

SENIOR WOMEN’S FOOTBALL

ROUND 9 - DARLEY VS BACCHUS MARSH

Darley 14.13.97 d Bacchus Marsh 3.1.19

D-Grade

North Ballarat 39 d Darley 23

GOALS: Ava Densley, Takeya Tanner, Macey O’Hehir

BEST: Lauren Martin, Macey O’Hehir

A-Grade

Darley 41 d North Ballarat 39

GOALS: Monique Nagle, Becca Hicks BEST: Monique Nagle, Matilda Elliot

GOALS: Kim Bessell 8, Matilda Rawlings 3, Madalyn Clarke 1, Lilli Condon, Jennifer Simpson

BEST: Lilli Condon, Abbey Killeen, Crystal Layton, Chloe Oughtred, Madalyn Clarke, Emmerson Hitch.

NEXT ROUND

Round 10 men’s footy and women’s netball will be played on Saturday 24th June @ Darley Park against Redan and women’s footy will also be played on Saturday 24th June @ Darley Park against Lake Wendouree.