One-run wins to Albion

Press, 27 February 1984, Page 24

One-run wins to Albion

Robert Brown Albion won both its senior women’s softball matches at the week-end to maintain its lead in the competition. On Saturday it beat Burnside, 1-0. and yesterday it beat Monowai also by one run, 3-2. In the other premier-grade games at the week-end Monowai beat Western Suburbs, 5-0, on Saturday, and yesterday Burnside beat’Western Suburbs. 7-2. The points tables are: PREMIER GRADE

Yesterday Albion took the lead at the top of the first innings when Janenne Gould came in off a hit by Nicky Hudson, but Ra Hapi (Monowai) equalised in the bottom of the second. The lead off, Natalie Hazelwood, gave Albion the lead again at the top of the fifth, but again Monowai levelled the score when Margaret Machirus came in after Hapi drove to centre field. Hazelwood scored Albion’s final run at the top of the seventh, and Monowai looked set to force extra innings, but a fine double play finished Monowai’s innings and gave Albion the win. Western Suburbs took a 2-1 lead against Burnside at the top of the second, but a fine display of power batting, combined with numerous fielding errors, enabled Burnside to score five runs in the bottom of the second. Burnside’s final run came at the bottom of the fourth. Another excellent performance by United in the A grade gave it a win against the previously unbeaten Papanui side, 8-6, with the other match going to Woolston, 14-6, against Monowai B. The battle is now on between Woolston and United for promotion into the top grade next season with only one match to play. The highlight of Saturday’s play was the encounter between Robert Brown Albion and Burnside. Robert Browh Albion 1, Bumside 0. Albion had an excellent scoring opportunity at the top of the second when the leadoff, Nicky Hudson smacked a massive right-field hit but the ball was blocked and sent back to third. The next three batters pop-flied and Hudson was left stranded. At the top of the fourth the lead-off, Christine Tew, made first base on a hit to centre field and eventually scored when Hudson hit to the infield. The play was made at home but the throw was off line and Tew scored with ease. Only four Burnside runners made base, two of whom were caught stealing, and at no stage did the side threaten Albion’s tenuous one-run lead. Monowai 5, Western Suburbs 0 At the top of the first innings Monowai took command of the match as the designated hitter, Anne Wansborough, and Margaret Marchirus gave the side a 2-0 lead.

Suburbs fielded well for the next four innings but at the top of the sixth solid batting by Monowai saw another two runs scored. Kela Smith hit a leftfield double and came in on a sacrifice by Ra Hapi. Gaye Forward then hit to right field and eventually scored off an outfield error.

P W L F A Pt Albion 6 5 1 23 6 10 Burnside 5 3 2 20 7 6 Monowai 6 3 3 18 9 6 West. Subs. 5 0 5 6 31 0 A GRADE P w L F A Pt Papanui 5 4 1 57 24 8 United 5 3 2 41 27 6 Woolston 5 2 3 35 37 4 Monowai B 5 1 4 22 66 2