Cougars strike back

Jude Power was a force with both bat and ball for the Berwick City Cougars on Sunday. 23399 Picture: Marc McGowan

By Marc McGowan
THE Berwick City Cougars put a dismal first-up showing behind them with a 10-2 thrashing of Chelsea at Edithvale Road Reserve on Sunday.
Starting pitcher Jude Power was the catalyst for the victory, throwing eight dominant innings and smacking a mammoth home run on his first trip to the plate.
Cougars playing coach Wayne Porter also added a home run as his side registered double-figure hits – a far cry from Berwick City’s two-hit effort the previous round.
Shaun Fahy was another impressive performer, going three-from-four after replacing 16-year-old Jake McLardy at the top of the batting order.
Daniel Betreen struck out three batters in the ninth inning to finish the match in style.
The Cougars piled on four scores, including Power’s wind-assisted home run, in the first inning to signal their intentions early.
Chelsea, which lost a number of players in the off-season, scored both its runs in the same inning following a Power fielding error and walk.
But Power was frugal from then on, not allowing another run as his fast ball – and the odd curve ball – wreaked havoc on the hosts’ line-up.
Berwick City’s batters provided good support, slowly widening the margin between the teams before their 10th run came in the final inning.
The Cougars’ seconds were also in hot form, obliterating Chelsea 18-1.
Martin Kennedy gave up only one run in five innings and will partner Betreen in the ones this weekend.
Porter was thrilled with his players’ response to their 11-0 defeat the previous weekend.
“We wanted to put up a better performance than the week before and it was a big transformation – everybody was a bit better,” he said.
But Porter put his young players’ batting performances on notice.
“The kids have to start hitting the ball because there are a few older heads around now that want to start having a hit and can give a bit more of a contest at the plate,” he said.
“We’ll look to the more experienced guys if the kids can’t produce.”
Berwick City plays Springvale at Cyril Molyneux Reserve from 3.30pm on Sunday.