Women’s Softball Win To Monowai

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31222, 21 November 1966, Page 11

Women’s Softball Win To Monowai

In a round which produced the best softball and most exciting games seen in Christchurch for some time, Monowai Just managed to beat a surefielding Spreydon team which had been in the lead throughout the game. Christchurch West had to survive a late batting rally to beat Avon. Results:— Monowai 3, Spreydon 2. Christchurch West 4, Avon S. Three catches held Spreydon three up three down in its first innings. A. White made first safely on an error in the second innings, went to second base on a sacrifice bunt by P. Hall and scored off a mighty home run by J. Steele to take Spreydon into the lead. The next two batters were dismissed to end the innings. Spreydon failed to add to its score in the remaining innings although A. White batted well

in the sixth. Spreydon fielded well throughout the game and all players performed with credit. H. Diggs pitched well and S. Pateman and M. May took some good catches. The Spreydon outfield In particular was well placed and many big bits were well taken.

Monowai, in spite of a two bagger by B. Makinson. failed to score in its first. With two batters out and E. Law on base J. Lee hit well to the right field. In an ensuing error E. Law scored to open for Monowai. A fine catch by S. Pateman, who relayed to first base for a double play, and a good catch by M. May ended Monowal’s third innings chances. Good hits by L. Byatt, C. Crown and B. Makinson failed to earn Monowai any runs in the next two innings. Monowai entered its sixth trailing by one run. After its first two batters had been caught out by M. May L. Byatt drove to the outfield to score and tie up the game. In its last bat its first batter was retired. B. Makinson hit on, and she went to second on an overthrow after a catch. An error allowed the next batter to base and the bases were loaded when another batter was walked.

M. Hapuku came to bat and with the pressure on a ground ball was errored and Makinson scored to win the game for Monowai, 3-2. The batting favoured Monowai eight hits to two. For Monowai Makinson, Byatt and Brown were prominent.

M. Balloch batted well for Avon in Its first innings but the side failed to score. Avon opened its scoring in the next innings when B. Hannigan, after a hard drive, scored on passed balls. N. Cattermole (Avon) hit on in the fifth, stole to second base, advanced to third on a hard drive by H. Middlemiss, and scored on an error. Avon fought back in its sixth, hits by N. Hands and B. Clark and a good bunt by J. Baker helping the side to score three runs to tie the game. Avon failed to score in its last bat. although B. Clark batted well. Christchurch West was scoreless in its first innings. C. MullaMy hit well and scored on passed balls in its second innings. The only run of the fourth innings was a homer by J. Davies. Christchurch West in the fifth added to its Slender lead a three bagger by J. Patterson. Hits by B. Gay and A. Davies enabled the side to score three runs. With the scores tied at the sixth C. Mullally, first batter up for Christchurch West, hit a two base hit and with two batters out scored the winning run after a hit by J. Patterson. Christchurch West, after holding Avon scoreless in its seventh Innings, did not need to bat to win, 6-5. Other results:—Second grade: Teachers’ College 13, Vanguard 12: Monowai B 7, Kaiapoi 0; Monowai A 16, Western Suburbs 10. Third grade: Christchurch West 36, Templeton 4: Avon 21, Monowai 10.