Softball Trophy Retained

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31305, 27 February 1967, Page 14

Softball Trophy Retained

The Canterbury senior men’s representative softball team withheld a strong challenge from Marlborough on Saturday to retain the Jeffreys Cup. On the run of play, the 6-1 margin somewhat flattered Canterbury. Canterbury, batting first, began in fine style, with two runs. P. Joyce, on base through an error at shortstop by K. Hodges, scored off a good hit to right field by C. Chee. Chee came home when T. Statham failed to hold a low pitch from B. Luke. After this set-back, Marlborough quickly settled down and tight fielding by H. Howard, B. Fyfe and J. Davis kept Canterbury scoreless for the rest of the innings. Howard hit strongly for Marlborough but was out on a brilliant pick off play between M. Nalepa and O. Phillips when he attempted to steal to second base. Canterbury went further ahead in the second innings when I. Pollack pounded a hard

drive along the third base line for a tremendous home run. Marlborough found the pitching of K. Smith more than it could cope with at this stage and failed to get a man on base, going into the third innings with a three-run deficit. Competent defensive fielding by both teams allowed no runs in the third and fourth innings, although the challengers, with P. Mcßae, Davis and M. Watson gaining bases, threatened imminent reduction of Canterbury’s lead. Marlborough’s persistent tight fielding and probing hits at last paid off when Mcßae, after driving a fine twobagger between third base and shortstop, scored from an error by catcher Nalepa. Canterbury was quick to retaliate in the sixth with E. Noonan, after a good hit and fast base running, scoring off an R. McKenzie drive. Next Smith put the ball out of the infield to bring in McKenzie

and came home himself when D. Martin threw the ball to second in a vain effort to cut down Pollack who had hit on after Srilith. Martin, playing an excellent game, picked a difficult bunt brilliantly to catch Nalepa inches off first base.

Playing sparkling softball fcr Canterbury, Noonan secured his second hit of the game In the seventh but was left stranded on third when Joyce, Chee and M. Reid were out in short order to sharp Marlborough fielding. In a desperate endeavour to add to its single run Marlborough brought utilities, J. Joseph and W. Luke. Into the game as pinch hitters, but they proved ineffective and Canterbury emerged the victors of a bright game. Pitching for Canterbury. Smith took six strike-outs and allowed two hits. Marlborough’s pitcher. B. Luke gave up six hits and obtained no strikeouts.