Cougars match struck short

THE Berwick Cougars’ loss to Williamstown on Saturday was “one of the more interesting games” for coach Wayne Porter, after lightning interrupted play and left only four innings completed before 6pm.
“Play was stopped for half an hour at a time because of the lightning,” Porter said.
“It took a toll on the players who were constantly warming up and then cooling down while waiting to finish the game.”
At the first break the Cougars were down two runs, 5-3, and Williamstown managed to get away with eight more before the final innings to finish 13-3.
“We changed the line-up to see if anything would work but it was hard to get a good picture when we were on and off again,” Porter said.
Despite having missed a spot in the finals the team will spend the remaining games of the season giving younger players some valuable experience.
“Berwick will be a strong force in the next four to five years as our younger players come through,” Porter said.
“We will be happy to win a few more games this season, giving everyone some time under their belt to help them mature and develop.
“Our young players are coming along in leaps and bounds.”
Porter said the team would now work on building a more competitive side for next season’s competition.
The Springvale/Berwick women’s division one team also suffered a setback on the weekend, losing to ladder-leaders Doncaster 5-6.
There was more disappointment to come on Tuesday night when the Cougars were trounced by Malvern at the Melbourne Ball Park 19-4.
After winning nine of their 16 games this season the cougars are now sitting third on the ladder behind Springvale and first-placed Doncaster.
The Cougars will face the fifth-placed Port Melbourne side in Springvale this weekend.