NEWPORT Rams are building up a head of steam in the Baseball Victoria Vodafone State League division one Christmas lead-in.
A lacklustre start to the summer has made the pre-festive season a win or bust period for the Darren Malthouse-coached Rams.
An 8-2 home win over Upwey-Ferntree Gully Tigers at KC White Reserve in Williamstown was the tonic needed to continue their winning form into December.
"It was a game we needed to win," Rams player-manager Josh Meddings said. "It instils more confidence and lifts us for the last three games of the year where we can cement our spot in the middle of the ladder. We have to maintain our momentum."
Consecutive wins has lifted spirits in the Rams camp.
They are beginning to steer clear of the bottom three to relative safety and be within viewing distance of the top four.
Upcoming games against Cheltenham (away, Sunday), Sunshine (home, December 17) and Sunshine (Melbourne Ball Park) are vital to the direction the Rams take in the second half of the season.
"They're three games we consider very winnable," Meddings said.
Cheltenham will be no pushover. They are sixth on the ladder and have their sights set on a finals appearance.
But the Rams will undoubtedly pencil in victories against a Sunshine team struggling at the foot of the ladder.
The Rams' win over the Tigers was not clear cut. The scoreline was 1-1 for most of last Sunday afternoon until a 3 RBI triple from star Matthew Lawman turned the tide of the game.
"He kicked us along," Meddings said. "His triple got us going. To Upwey's credit, they fought hard and it was close until our experienced players stood up."
One the Rams took the wind out of the visitors' sails it was simply a matter of how big the margin.
Scott Malthouse's brilliance on the mound as starting pitcher stifled the Tigers' offence, but he had back-up from an energetic in-field.
Lawman was vibrant at shortstop, Troy Malthouse threw his body on the line at third base, Jordan Young inflicted some double plays and David Land had a safe glove on first base.
Import catcher Kyle Moore maintained a good understanding with the pitchers and Heath Grundy controlled the out-field. "Defensively we were fantastic, Meddings said. "It was a good all-round game."
In division 2, the Williamstown Wolves have hit a purple patch of form with three successive wins.
The Wolves maintained the rage with a 9-3 thrashing of Springvale on the road at Dingley Village on Sunday to sit fourth on the second-tier ladder.
The in-form Wolves have a tough double-header week with an away trip to Port Melbourne tonight and a bout with top-of-the-ladder Fitzroy in the comfortable surrounds of Greenwich Reserve on Sunday.
Footscray slumped to a 17-2 loss to Ormond Glenhuntly, their 12th loss on the trot.
Email a friend