Inspired win by Albion

Press, 28 November 1977, Page 20

Inspired win by Albion

An inspired Albion caused an upset by beating Monowai in the senior women’s softball on Saturday. Albion regained its former initiative and clinched its win after five innings. It was a day of decisive victories and short games. Burnside completely overwhelmed Western Suburbs, and Jaks beat Aorangi by 11 runs—both in five innings.

Albion 13, Monowai 1 Albion was out to win from the start. It dismissed Monowai smartly, then Christine Quested started off the batting with a mighty homer. Dana e Goosman nearly topped a spectator with one of a string of hard hitting fouls, only to be walked on the first stage of her journey home. Chrissle King, Wendy Bell, Phillipa Wyatt and Shirley Rainsbury followed, and Sharon Constable was unlucky to be stranded after a fine two bagger. The runs started again in the third, when Wyatt, Rainsbury and Constable all reached home after two bag hits. It was left to Vicki Morgan to crown Albion’s success with a homer, and the scoring was completed soon after when Bell, Wyatt and Rainsbury crossed the home plate. But Albion outplayed Monowai in every facet. It dismissed its opposition twice with double plays, and took excellent catches Into the bargain. Chrlssie King held a fine catch off Nancy Beale in the fifth, while Danae Goosman put a stop to any chance of a run when she caught Wiki Martin in the second. Monowai’s only run came in the fourth, when Carlie Scott scored after being dropped because of the sun in the fielders eyes. Monowai had a very forgettable game. Marilyn Thompson had difficulty placing her pitches within striking distance, but the team as a whole could manage no hits during the game. Burnside 21, Western Suburbs 1 The tone of the game wag set in the first innings when Burnside scored seven times—mainly as a result of Suburbs errors. Anthea Feaver came home after a three bag hit in the second, and Bernie Straker scored again in the third. Burnside ended the game on a high note with seven home in the fourth, including a mighty three bagger by Kath Noonan, and five in the final innings. Straker scored after each turn at bat, and Linda Shepherd scored three, and was left on second base another time. Western Suburbs was no match for Burnside. Its sole run came in the second when Karen Knight scored on a three bag hit by Christine Timms, who was left on third base when the next batter was struck out.

Robyn Storer took three strikeouts altogether, and gave up three hits and no walks during a very competent performance. Jaks United 16, Aorangi 3 Jaks looked to be in trouble when Aorangi had its first turn at bat. Pam Chambers repeatedly pitched the ball too high and gave up three walks including one to Michelle Hudson, who scored soon after. Happily for Jaks. she soon settled down and did not concede another -walk. Aorangi was dismissed three up and three down in the second and third, and had to wait until the fifth to add two more runs when W. Heta and Julie Turuwhenua scored. But the side did not have enough batters home to force a seven innings match as Jaks had had 10 runners home after the second and third Innings, and settled the issue with six more scoring in the final two turns at bat.

Barbie Smith and Robbie McLaren scored three times, and Vai Chambers, her twin Pam, Margie Cormack and Karen Lawson came home twice. Aorangi again showed lapses in concentration while fielding, including an incident in the first Innings when the ball was thrown, in between two players after a call from third base.

P W L F A pts Bumside .. 6 6 0 66 14 12 Monowai .. 6 4 2 51 29 8 Jaks United 6 4 2 55 40 a Albion 6 2 4 35 27 4 Aorangi 6 1 5 39 87 2 Suburbs 6 1 5 20 69 2