United Holds Richmond In Softball Surprise

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31198, 24 October 1966, Page 7

United Holds Richmond In Softball Surprise

United caused a surprise ini the senior men s softball cham-i pionship when it held the; nighly-rated Richmond team to three runs at Hagley Park on. Saturday. Richmond had been expected to end the match m five in-1 Rings. In its two previous: matches Richmond had im-! pressed as the leading con-i tender for Papanui s title, while United had conceded 30 runs in 10 innings. But the transformation in the United fielding was remarkable. A few blemishes enabled Richmond to score three runs in the first two innings, but from then on the catching, fielding and throwing of United outshone that of Richmond. Unfortunately, Kaiapoi—which, along with United, has been clinging perilously to senior status—could not match United in improvement, and Papanui scored 15 runs in five innings. Western Suburbs continued its steady improvement with a minor upset against Avon. Suburbs ran away to a long lead, and even a six-run last innings by Avon could not alter the result. Results: Richmond 3, United 0. Papanui 15, Kaiapoi 0. Western Suburbs 11, Avon 9. Championship points are: Papanui 3, Richmond 3. Western Suburbs 2, Avon 1, United 0, Kaiapoi 0. 12 STRUCK OUT Such was the strength of United’s challenge that at times It appeared only the Richmond pitcher, K. Smith, stood between United and victory. Twelve United batters were struck out. Smith conceded only three safe hits and gave no walks. Richmond began the game with understandable confidence. Two runs came in the first innings and another in the second, when the bases had been loaded. United was making fielding errors. There was apparently nothing to worry about. But the attitude was changed after United, with B. Hurrell and K. Thorn in the infield and the outfielders. J. Woods and L. Ellis, catching and fielding everything that came their way. held Richmond scoreless for the last five innings. The pitcher, K. Davis, was very steady and. although he gained only one strikeout. Richmond could not score off his deliveries once the fielding improved. He conceded one walk and seven strike outs.

The veteran first baseman, C. Reid, using his experience to counsel his batters while M.

McW’hinnie extracted two safe hits from Smith.

In its sixth innings United had two batters on base and a chance of drawing closer to Richmond. But Smith exploded all hopes with another strike- • out. Smith. R. Hall, and R. Storer I scored Richmond s runs. EXCITING MATCH The young Western Suburbs team fulfilled the promise of last season when it beat Avon. 11-9. in an exciting match at English Park. Batters dominated proceedings. and only three strike-outs came in the 14 innings. R. J Mullally provided the incentive with a home run in the first Innings, and his long hits to left field gave his team three runs and a lead that proved just a little too much for Avon. Avon challenged gamely in the last innings, scoring six runs and drawing level on the number of safe hits. But its eight-run deficit was too great. The 17-year-old Avon outfielder. D. Birdling. scored a home run for Avon in the second innings, his second in only five senior matches. After this innings Avon held a comfortable 3-1 lead, but Western Suburbs scored six runs in the third innings and four in the last. B. Grimes Western Suburbs) gained one strike-out and conceded three walks and 14 safe hits. M. Busch took two strikeouts for Avon and gave four safe hits and three walks. H. Moore conceded 10 safe hits and one walk. For Western Suburbs. Mullally fthree) E. Hobson (two), 0. Stuart (two), L. Haskett, R. Scott, Grimes, and A. Monteath scored runs. B. McGregor (two), Busch, Birdling, A. Ballantvne, R. McKenzie, D. Lanini, R. Bartley, and Moore scored Avon’s runs. RUNS TO SPARE B Chee led the Papanui batting when he came home four times in as many innings. His fine performance included a home run over centre field. None of the Papanui batters found many problems in the pitching of L. Seward, and although his replacement, D. Hammond, kept Papanui scoreless in the fourth innings, he collapsed rather suddenly when five runs came in the last innings to close the game in the way it had begun.

kaiapoi seldom looked likely to score a run. It was not until the third innings that a batter. J. Shepherd, gained a safe hit from the not-too-fero-cious pitching of M. Reid. A walk to Seward and a safe hit by B. Roa loaded the bases.

but Kaiapoi could not get the last, vital hit.

The Papanui fielding unit worked extremely well in comparison with Kaiapoi’s numerous errors. Only the second baseman, Roa. looked sound in the field for Kaiapoi. For Papanui. B. Chee 'four), I. Pollock (three). Reid (three), L. Clarkson (two). M. Clarkson. G. Clarkson, and D. Phillips scored runs.