Diamond-deadly

By Marc McGowan
The Berwick City Cougars moved into the top four – and title calculations – with a 17-7 belting of perennial contender Springvale at K.H. Wearne Reserve on Sunday.
The Cougars had never beaten the Lions’ firsts and lost 18-1 in the corresponding clash in October.
They have now won three of their last four games and moved within one success of matching last season’s club-best eight division-three victories – with 10 fixtures still to come.
Springvale was missing gun pitcher Glen Richards, who is on Claxton Shield duties with the Victorian side, and struggled to contain Berwick City’s suddenly high-octane offence.
The Cougars slammed four runs in the first inning, with the Lions scoring three of their own, and the margin consistently widened as the contest wore on.
Jude Power, starting for the first time since his epic 10-inning effort against Preston six weeks ago, threw all nine frames in another determined display.
Berwick City playing coach Wayne Porter was keen to keep a lid on expectations at Cyril Molyneux Reserve despite the breakthrough win.
“We just hit everything, basically, and the guys really played well – it was our time,” he said.
“There were no standouts – everybody got a hit.
“We’re not going to go over the top, but the guys were pretty pleased.”
Porter does not believe his side can be considered a title contender just yet, but said finals are a strong possibility.
The Cougars have two more away outings before the Christmas break, starting with Preston at La Trobe University in Bundoora on Sunday at 3.30pm.
The teams have endured two classic battles already this season.
Berwick City trumped the Pirates by a run at home in October, but the latter reversed the result at this weekend’s venue two weeks ago.