Can Bellville bounce back after shock defeat?

SEVERAL intriguing encounters will take place in the Baseball Association of Western Province Major League programme this weekend, with all sides playing two matches.

This weekend’s encounters can have a major impact at the top of the log and the scramble for positions within the top six.

One of the most interesting encounters has to be the topof-the-table clash on Sunday between defending champions Bellville Tygers and Bothasig Knights at the Abe Sher Sports Ground in Bothasig.

Last weekend saw Tygers lose their unbeaten status when they surprisingly went down 3-1 to a gutsy Grassy Park Crusaders. It will be very interesting to see how Tygers respond to that defeat.

Bothasig have been quietly but effectively going about their business of accumulating maximum points.

Both teams have the ability to beat each other, with the Knights holding the upper hand in the pitching department where they can call on SA pitcher Jared Elario and former SA pitcher Darren Smith.

Tygers, however, boast a strong batting line-up loaded with SA players.

The last time the two teams met, Tygers sneaked a 14-12 victory after Knights held the upper hand for long spells in the game.

Both teams have easier games on Saturday with Tygers hosting wooden-spoon- ists Helderberg Pirates and Knights hosting Van der Stel.

Other interesting encounters will see Crusaders and Maitland Giants scrambling for points this weekend as they both push for a top-six finish. Both teams have tough assignments though.

Crusaders, fresh from arguably their most famous victory, hold a two- point lead over Giants and are two points behind fifth-placed VOB Macaws.

Crusaders travel to in-form Westridge Yankees today and to VOB tomorrow. Giants host VOB today and travel to Athlone A’s tomorrow.

Today’s games start at 3- 30pm, with tomorrow’s matches beginning at 1.30pm.

The Promotion League also heats up as Thistle host Battswood in a must-win encounter to see who joins Milnerton Mavericks to form a league with the bottom four Major League teams.