Berwick City’s star pitcher Jude Power led the Cougars to an 11-6 victory over St Kilda at Cyril Molyneux Reserve on Saturday. 27202 Picture: Stewart ChambersBy Marc McGowan
FINALS, here we come.
The Berwick City Cougars will play in the Division Three post-season for the first time in their 14-year history after vanquishing two opponents on the weekend.
The Cougars scored a come-from-behind 11-6 success over St Kilda at Cyril Molyneux Reserve on Saturday before holding off Port Melbourne 8-7 at Murphy Reserve on Sunday.
Second-placed Berwick City has looked on track for a debut finals appearance for several weeks behind star pitcher Jude Power’s incredible solo performances.
But the Cougars’ rapidly maturing batters have also played a pivotal role in the club’s rise to prominence.
They needed all of that improvement on Saturday after Power gave up three runs in a wild opening to Berwick City’s clash with the Saints.
The Cougars clawed their way back in the shortened seven-inning match, with veteran catcher Ian Frost and Jack Speirs leading the way.
Tim Moon belted a huge home run over left field to cap Berwick City’s comfortable triumph.
But second baseman Shaun Fahy endured a horror afternoon with four fielding errors.
Sunday’s match-up with finals aspirants the Mariners was a completely different story.
The Cougars jumped out of the blocks – scoring five runs in the first two innings, including a Wayne Porter homer – before just holding on.
Teenage left-hander Matthew Kennedy assumed the mound and threw five competent innings.
Berwick City led 8-7 at that stage and reliever Fahy managed the final 12 outs without conceding another run.
Moon and Jake McLardy had a couple of hits each and wreaked havoc with their speed on the bases.
Cougars playing coach Porter, in his second season at the helm, was delighted with his players’ achievement.
“It feels pretty good. We’re happy, but we still need to win on the weekend to get second spot (after third-ranked Williamstown upset top side Springvale),” he said.
“We have a pretty big day on the weekend, with our Ladies’ Day and there will be a few people down.
“We want to play well because there’s a bit more meaning to it. There’ll be some celebrating if we win and it’d be nice to be able to do it knowing we have a double chance.”
Berwick City faces winless Footscray in the final round of the home-and-away season at Cyril Molyneux Reserve on Saturday from 2pm.
The Cougars will wear pink undershirts and caps as part of their fundraising efforts for the McGrath Foundation.
