Softball REPRESENTATIVE MATCH

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28821, 16 February 1959, Page 3

Softball REPRESENTATIVE MATCH

Canterbury Beats Otago

Canterbury’s first baseman and relief pitcher. C. Bayford, came to the rescue when A. Ballantyne. the Canterbury and South Island representative pitcher, left the field In protest after a dispute beween the coaches of the Otago and Canterbury senior men’s softball teams during the match for the Jefferies Cup at English Park on Saturday. After holding Otago scoreless in the first Innings of the game, Canterbury scored two runs on a passed ball and a sacrifice hit. Otago opened its scoring in its second innings from a sacrifice hit, but Canterbury scored again on a hit and a steal by K. Avis. Otago, three up-three down in its third innings, held Canterbury to the same score at its bat. Facing a new pitcher in its fourth Innings, Otago loaded its bases, but superb fielding and pegging held it scoreless. Canterbury was three up-three down at its fourth bat and Otago, in its fifth innings, resorted successfully, to bunting for another run. Canterbury, striving hard for additional runs, fell to its third three upthree down in succession.

Otago evened the game in its sixth innings. with a walk and a sacrifice hit to left field, and with Canterbury again three up-three down, the teams entered their final innings with the score, 3-3.

Again Otago threatened with loaded bases with two out, but the Canterbury fielding held for the dismissal of-Otago, which did not score. Canterbury, at its finals bat, was two down and two on "base, with the call against the batter two and two. This was a crucial position, but a fielding fumble put the batter on first. A wild throw to the home plate beat the Otago catcher, and a Canterbury runner made home fo* the winning run. The score was: Canterbury 4, Otago 3. Otago Colts Lose To Canterbury B Played as a curtain-raiser to the Jefferies Cup match, the game between the Canterbury Colts B representatives and an Otago colts team for the Joljn Cuth Cup failed to reach representative standard in any of the seven Innings played. Canterbury won with a last innings rally. 18 to 17. Otago opened the game and from a dropped catch at second base looked like scoring, but was held. Canterbury at its first innings loaded its bases on inaccurate pitching and, aided by bad fielding, scored four runs. Fielding errors gave Otago three runs in its second innings, and Canterbury scored a further four runs on mistakes in the field. Delayed pegging gave Otago more runs at its next bat, and A. Topliss, with a three-bagger, brought in runs for Canterbury in its third innings. Good catching by the Canterbury pitcher, D. Canoven, helped to hold Otago to three runs In its fourth innings. Canterbury, scoreless in Its fourth, allowed Otago to take the lead, giving away runs with poor fielding. A change of pitcher failed to hold the flow of hits.

Canterbury failed in its fifth, but held Otago at Its sixth bat. Canterbury scored a run In its sixth innings, and after holding Otago to a three up-three down count at its final innings, Canterbury scored its winning runs on fielding errors and a good hit by A. Topliss. Pigeon Racing s ■ East Christchurch Club The East Christchurch Pigeon Club held the first race of the young bird season on Saturday from Kaikoura in Ideal north-easterly conditions. Fast times were recorded by all birds. * X Results were:—R. Weston, 2hr 4mln 28sec; W. Walls, 2hr 4min 45sec; K. Harrison, 2hr Smin llsec; H. Courtier, 2hr Smin 20sec; R. Moore, 3hr Smin 28sec; G. Rhodes, 2hr 6min 10 sec; R. Wallace, 2hr 6mln 20sec; E. Courtier, 2hr 7mln 4sec; D. Anthony, 2hr 7min 26sec; Mann and Anderson, 2hr 7min 53sec; S. Hay, 2hr 37min, 57sec.

K.. Harrison won the nominated bird prize.