Wanderers Win Men's Softball; Ladies' Title Secured by Aces

Chronicle (Levin), 31 March 1949, Page 7

Wanderers Win Men's Softball; Ladies' Title Secured by Aces

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Wanderers have again been successful in winning the Horowhenua softball championship. Their victory is undoubtedly the result of regul ir practices, ail of which have been well attended. This season's title in the ladies' section has been annexed by Otaki A ces, who have played excellent softball throughout. Both teams will have the congratulations of other clubs. t

In their game- 011 Saturday against Ath]etic, which was virtually the championsnip final, the ability of the Wanderers players to capitalise on the mistakes of their opponents was the 'deciding; factor. However, the score of 13 ■points to seven does not give a true picture of how close the game was. j Marshall's grand hit for a homer which brought in two other runners in the fourth innings, was the turning point for Wanderers. Skili^on's pitching was not quite as for'midable as it has been in some games and he gave several . "walks." _ He appeared to hav; more spin than usual and when 1 Athletic, who were connecting better in this game, 'did hit them, the ball generally shied aird was easily •caught. The Winiata BroS., Stackhouse and Marshall p""ayed wel , with Rose at short stop carrymg out a good share of the work. Once again, Atkinson backed up well. Easy Catches Missed For Athletic the basemen, Morgan, Desgrand and Stevens, kept the Wanderers runners quiet. Fietcher's pitching appeared to have a new curve in it and this troubled1 quite a few of the Wanderers' bats-j men. The outfield did not function as well as it has done in some pre-.

I vious games and time and again 1 easy catches were missed or balls passed unstopped within close proximity. It was just these oppor■tunities that Wanderers were look-, ing for. 1 The surprise ' game of the: day was at Kimberley, where Ajax, with eight p'ayers, beat the generally strong Kimfcer- > ley by 20 points to 17. The ' Scoring was moderate until the last innings and then the runs were! rattled on. With the score at 12-5 'in favour of Ajax. Kimberley went! 'in and, finding gaps all over the field, added 12 runs. When their ;

turn came, Ajax were fortunate in being able to gather eight runs and thus win the match. Swan played an outstanding game for Aj ax, wnile Smith, Mor- , ton and Walton did the lion's share of the work. Peters, Thompson and Rossen took the honours for Kimjberley, doing all that was asked of them in both batting and fielding. In an earlier game, Athletic had a hard struggle against Pirates. Up | to the fourth innings the score was : 4-3 in favour of Pirates and then [Athletic put on 20 runs, a record 'for one innings, to win 33-9. The big hitters for Athletic, Morgan, Desgrand, Stevens and Fletcher added six homers in the innings and this must also be a record. In their defeat of Wanderers to the tune of 23 to 13, Otaki Aces gave a clear-cut indication of their superiority in the ladies' section, while they also beat Punahau 12-2. The combination of the fielders and the batting strength of the Otaki ladies have proved the downfall of all the Levin teams. Coming Activities Next Saturday all the men's teams will gather at Kimberley for the annual knock-out competition. The strength of the section this season should resu't in an outstanding day for players and spectators. On April 9 the Horowhenua ladies' teams will play their knockout competition at Otaki and the arrangements in regard to grounds and catering are in the hands of Aces Club. On the same day a Wanganui colts team has been invited to Levin for a game against a team of players under 21 years or others who have missed the A reps. I would select the following team:— Rose, Manuel, Morgan, S. Bonner, Swan, Bettin, Hanna, Learmont and Thompson, with Morton, Peters , and King as emergencies. What's rour piok, Mr. Seleotor?