Men’s Softball VICTORY FOR U.S. TEAM

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29989, 26 November 1962, Page 3

Men’s Softball VICTORY FOR U.S. TEAM

Papanui Loses To Richmond Ideal conditions prevailed for the second round of the enlarged senior men’s softball competition on Saturday. Highlight of the day was the first competition win by the Deep Freeze team, which beat Christchurch in an even game. Main interest centred on the dash between the competition leaders, Richmond and Papanui. with Richmond retrieving itself from a most unlikely position and winning in the later stages of what was a splendid game. Other games followed form, and no upsets were recorded. Results : Linwood IS, Western Suburbs t. Richmond 8, Papanui 5. Spreydon 11, United 5. Deep Freeze 9, Christchurch 7. Kaiapol, a bye. Papanui v. Richmond Papanui started with terrific spirit and batting drive. Hit followed hit and runners whipped around the bases with commendable speed. Papanui was playing, at this stage, high-class softball, with the pitcher, Clarki son, having a firm grip on the Richmond batters. Quite ini explicable', Papanui elected to i relieve Clarkson and substituted a spin exponent. M. Bell.

This move was disastrous, as Richmond sprinkled hits all over the diamond to score five runs in one Innings and tie Papanui’s hard won lead. With this gratuity in hand, the balance of tile game changed abruptly, allowing a rejuvenated Richmond team ample scope for its batting talents. Papanui has clung to the illusion of the fallibility of Clarkson and has changed him numerous times in senior games, with the move usually proving most costly. In what was otherwise a splendid game of softball with some rippling fielding plays, it was unfortunate to see Papanui drop what should have been a game-winning lead at five runs and eventually lose to Richmond, who had not to that stage given any indication of talent or potential. Standout play was a home run of gigantic dimension hit by B. Warne. for Papanui. Deep Freeze v. Christchurch

Deep Freeze and Christchurch would be the most evenly matched teams In the competition. Inning after inuring they alternated the lead and exchanged hits and errors with prodigality and the greatest of good humour. Played at almost a picnic level, Deep Freeze won eventually by the pitching of Tyzyrk, with regular Seager hurling the last two Innings. I Christchurch was poorly served by its outfielders and numerous runs were thrown away. For Deep Freeze, Madison and Thomsley played good games, and D. Lanini was the best of the Christchurch infielders. Spreydon v. United Spreydon again showed improved form and now possesses one of the fastest infields in the competition. Lewis pitched another good game for Spreydon and his was the work that won the game. United again played well, but under the duress of hard plays the team lost all composure and wild throws proved to be desperately costly. United performed the rare feat of having Mttdiell. Tophsa, and Grimes all hit home runs consecutively. Alderdice with two, McGregor and Lewis with one each took the game tally of home runs to a remarkable seven to highlight a bright game. Linwood v. Suburbs Co-leaders of the competition. Linwood, coasted home behind the pitching of Ballantyne. B. Webb played a fine game for Linwood and Infielders Aldridge and Stuart defended stoutly for Suburbs. Ballantyne, recovering from Influenza, was pitching a game of inferior quality and at little more than half pace, but the Suburbs batters produced some woeful batting.