Women’s competition ends nredictablv

Press, 18 March 1985, Page 39

Women’s competition ends nredictablv

All matches played in the Dalgety Crown Travel premier and senior women’s softball grades on Saturday were mere formalities to end the competition. Robert Brown Albion clinched the title last week and seedings for next season were already all but determined. An analysis of the points table highlights the vast difference in ability between the top teams, Albion and Burnside, and the rest of the sides which will make up the senior grade next season. The first five placings are clear-cut. However, the sixth seeding will be disputed between United and Kereru. United had the better record against Kereru and its run ratio for and against was also better.

Monowai 2, Clarity Press Papanui 0 Monowai had a total of nine runners left on base and should really have created more runs throughout the match. Papanui, on the other hand, left five stranded on base and also had a real opportunity to get back into the match in the sixth but bad base running cost dearly. The lead-off, Kela Smith, opened Monowai's scoring in the bottom of the third when she drove to centrefield and crossed the plate on a two-bagger by Ra Hapi. Hapi endeavoured to stretch her hit into a

triple but a ."peg’’ play had Hapi out at third. With one down in the fourth Shirley Rainsbury forced an infield error to make second. A Charlotte McLean drive to centrefield advanced Rainsbury, with a fielder’s choice on Wiki Martin allowing Rainsbury to cross the plate. Monowai looked set to extend the lead in the fifth when bases were loaded with none down. The next batter could not get the ball out of the infield and Hapi was taken at the plate. With only one down and bases still loaded the next two batters flied out to leave runners stranded. In the top of the sixth Papanui was in a position to put pressure on the Monowai field. The lead-off, Wendy Hughes, made second on an in-field error. Helen Townsend then laid down an immaculate bunt, the fielded ball was fired to first, but Townsend was safe. However, Hughes tried to make the plate off the bunt and was taken out. Townsend then attempted to steal second and failed to go down into a slide and she was also tagged out. From a position which could have let Papanui into the match all potential was lost and in its seventh turn at bat Papanui could not regain any authority. ERG Suburbs 3, United 0 After a strong start in the first innings by Suburbs, United’s field tightened considerably to keep itself in the match. While United’s field held, its batters could not assert any pressure in the box as Suburb's Carolyn Renney had a fine day on the mound, conceding only two hits. Virginia Duncan opened her side’s account at the top of the first when an outfield error allowed Duncan in and Kerry Hall to make third, a further error giving Hall the plate. Suburbs looked set to take another run in the third when Hall was on third with only one down. Yvonne Jorden flied to Tricia Laird at left field and on the catch Hall raced for home. Laird fired the ball immediately and Hall was taken out in a great double play.

Another tremendous double play quashed again any hope of another Suburbs run in the fourth. Renney made base on a hit and Donna Roberts laid down a sacrifice bunt. Roberts was taken out at first and Renney raced round to third. Charmaine Lee threw to third and again a potential run was taken away from Suburbs. In the fifth Suburbs finally obtained the elusive run. The lead off, Sue McCullough, who finished the match with an average of 1000, drove to left field. A sacrifice by the young Katrinia Thompson advanced McCullough, while a fielder’s choice saw her on third, then Renney came to the fore with a fine left-field triple. United had no real scoring opportunity in the match as only six runners made base, with none advancing past second. Kereru 5, Cardinals 2 Although Cardinals lost the match, the side turned on one of its best performances in post-Christ-mas play. Although the team still made errors there was a dramatic drop in the number normally registered. Kereru opened the scoring at the bottom of the first when an outfield error allowed Jill Hakaraia to make base and a further error gave Hakaraia the plate. Kereru looked set for an easy victory in the second when Harata Morris and Marlene Fox scored off a series of excellent hits and sacrifices, however Cardinals kept the side contained well for the remainder of the match. A walk, two sacrifices and an error allowed Marama Green to score in the fourth, with Hakaraia crossing the plate for her second run in the fifth. Cardinals endeavoured to get back into the match in the sixth when Carol Reece made second on an outfield error and scored off a Karen Pimm hit. Pimm stole second and another error allowed Pimm to score. Anne Rockhouse looked set to eat into Kereru’s lead. However, a great tag play at the plate had her out and after this Cardinals had no real scoring opportunity.

POINTS TABLE PREMIER GRADE: P W L F A Pt Albion 9 8 1 50 7 16 Burnside 9 7 2 60 19 14 Monowai 9 2 7 24 51 4 Papanui 9 1 8 11 68 2 Senior grade: ERG Suburbs 9 7 2 78 31 14 United 9 5 4 74 38 10 Kereru 9 5 4 46 40 10 Cardinals 9 1 8 41 110 2