Strike out by Hazelby – one out; backhand grab deep in the pocket at short by Kristensen, followed by a long bullet throw to first – excellent play, two out; nice grab in Left on a sinking line drive by Sheridan – three out and that’s the game!  Great inning, great game.

This weekend was the regular season sequel to the Richmond match up.  After last week’s strong performance and victory against the Dutch giant and the pesky knuckleballer, this weekend proved a more closely fought battle.  Once again facing that same pesky knuckler but this time followed by a different reliever with good speed and a couple of nice curve variations.  For the second week running the Mavericks came out on top, out-performing the first place Dragons in pitching, defence and offence. 

The game started with a strong rally in the first with the Maverick’s patience paying off.  After a couple of lead off walks, Hazelby connected with a towering 3 run home run to centerfield.  Another run in the first added a bit of security and after that it was a game of catch up.  The Mavericks gradually added to their lead throughout the game and Richmond continued to chip away at the lead, reducing the lead to a single run at one point, before tying it in the top of the 7th at 11 a piece.

However 2 more runs for the Mavericks in the bottom half of the inning proved decisive, as first Pete Badenhuizen and then Matt Bruce drove in runs. With Owen Hazelby on the mound, the pitching was more direct, challenging the Richmond batters, and although this resulted in a couple of home runs, they were no more than solo or 2 run efforts.

A 4 run bottom half of the 8th inning, was the final nail in the Dragons coffin, as the Dragons went down in the 9th, adding just a right field home run to their tally.

Key performances on the day came from strong early pitching by Matt Bruce and two great pick offs, just demonstrating how hard it is to run off a left handed pitcher.  Excellent all round play from RightFielder Jeremy Abel, as he took two great catches on the move, and added to that with a couple of timely base hits. John “Jacoby” (me thinks the writer is a Boston fan!...ed) Kristensen – not only stealing home (a rarity with the Mavericks) and, as usual, contributing with both the glove and the bat, not least that ninth inning gem. As always Owen Hazelby turned in a strong pitching performance with some nice relief work and of course, a great home run to start the game.

The Dragons will be waiting for the Mavericks come the playoffs, but for now, if Guildford continue to play in this manner, then it will be as runners up in the Division.