By JARROD POTTER
PAKENHAM has its biggest challenge of the season coming up but form is definitely on the Pumas’ side before the top-of-the-ladder clash.
The Pumas have the match of the round this weekend when they face ladder-leading Mulgrave in potential VSBL division three grand final preview, going off current form.
The Pumas came into Sunday in red-hot form currently having stretched their winning streak to seven after a 12-2 dissection of St Kilda.
A trip to the bayside was another successful Sunday jaunt for the Pumas as the season record ballooned to 8-2 after the 10-run rampage.
Simon Ferris negated St Kilda’s hitting through five superb innings before coach Shaun Fahy closed out.
In what has become customary for the Pumas, the visitors smashed St Kilda about to record another mercy-rule win after seven.
“After our defeat against Mulgrave, every Sunday game has been 10 run games and it’s pleasing to see the guys are coming out with the bats firing,” Fahy said.
“Not one single person to single out – everyone has been hitting well and in the first five innings this week we had a lead-off double.
“We got into run scoring position from the word go – we got one per innings until the fourth and opened up with a six-run fifth.”
After losing 2-6 to the Dandy boys in round three, the club knows it’s necessary to back up its exceptional run and not take any backward steps heading into the Christmas break.
Mulgrave has Pumas’ import pitcher James Mills to fear this time, though, as he returns to the mound for the Sunday showdown.
“We get to have James starting this week as well – our best pitcher against theirs,” Fahy said.
“The way we’re hitting, we can get it done and then we can go out, play strong defence and put the runs on the board and just do the little things right.
“We’re probably comparable to them – we might have a bit more depth than them but it’s how you play on the day regardless.”
Pakenham’s seconds were defeated by St Kilda 5-18 while the division four South team was thumped by Springvale 1-18.
Pakenham will face Mulgrave in all three games at Clow Street, Dandenong, on Sunday from 3.30pm.
