Defeat for Papanui

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 34021, 10 December 1975, Page 22

Defeat for Papanui

Papanui suffered its biggest defeat in two seasons when it was thrashed 4-0 by Richmond in the Shoreline Country Club's twilight softball competition last week.

It never recovered from a great Richmond first inning when five batters—Doug Chee, Gan- Lay, Robin Te Maari. Kevin Steel, and Doug Baker—hit on safely and four name home, some given an armchair ride with four fielding errors. Paradoxically the shock result could work for Papanui, because Richmond, placed third in the main competition, will be given a big shot of confidence and might beat United, the leader, on Saturday, allowing Papanui to get back to even stevens. Early on, Papanui’s batting looked as lethargic as its first innings fielding, and only two 'batters —Dale Eagar (from a safe (hit) and Bruce Chee 'after being (struck by a pitch)—made base. Chris McDonald—who twice hit low and powerfully onh to be (beautifully caught by the agile ' short-stop. Te Maari—was a trifle , unlucky. Things looked brighter in the (fifth when the lead-off batter. 'Johnny Peterson, placed a hit

I “in the hole” and then the “Red Streak” sped round the 'bases, stealing second and third. : But the scoring chance u as I missed as three batters were all (struck out by Kelly Smith, as they swung too soon or too iate. In the sixth Colin Chee was forced to pull up at third after a mighty blow to centre-field hit spectators watching the match on another diamond—placed far too close—and succeeding batters were unable to score him in. Again in the final innings batters—Tony Bishop and Peterson—made first safely but they too did not reoeive any assisttance. Geoff Roberts, who gave away eight hits, had easily his worst club figures of the season; in Ithe 10 previous games he had conceded the meagre average of 1 1.3 hits a game. But the Richmond coach (Mr Alf Browm was I still justified in his disappointment with his side’s batting. Apart from Te Maari 'three hits out of three , only three hits (were made in the last five. ENO OF ERA The United players seemed convinced that the defeat of i Papanui, the top club side in

Christchurch for the last two 'ears, signified “the end of an era.” but it would be difficult to believe that it will take this set-back lying down. United itself had the easiest of victories, beating the scoreless Somerfleld 11-l in a fivetinnings game. | Top batter for United was the youthful Nicks Oorschot. who batted 1000 with four hits in ; easily his best effort of the sea(son. Ray Marsh did best for the losers with two hits in as I many turns at the batting box. United did not have to use (its top pitcher, Dave Bradbury. ;as his substitute. Leon Fife, who struck-out eight Somerfleld batters and conceded four hits, did a most adequate job. In the women’s games Monowal • was only able to beat United 9-6 after leading 9-0 at one Mage, while Burnside just got home, 7-6, against Christchurch West after Ranui Hapl hi' home Sue Carroll at the bottom of the seventh. Points.—Men United 8. Richmond 6. Papanut 4. United-City I and Western Suburbs 2. Somer- . field 0. Women; Burnside 8J Christchurch West and Monoiwai 6. Western Suburbs L lAorangs and United 0.