Softball rivalry

Press, 13 December 1986, Page 39

Softball rivalry

Three teams are still in close competition for the two available spots in the top section of the Dalgety Crown Travel senir women’s softball championship. Bumside and Albion are assured of places, while Papanui, Kereru and Suburbs all have chances of staying in the top four for post-Christ-mas play. In twilight matches on Wednesday, Suburbs, beaten by Monowai, 6-4, on Saturday, reversed the result, thumping Monowai, 14-1, in six innings. Papanui, as expected, proved no match for Burnside in another game which ended after six innings, when Burnside was ahead, 11-1. Suburbs cemented its win against Monowai in the fourth innings after Barbara Gordon had scored in the first innings and Bridgette Southeran in the second. The side went through its entire order plus three batters to notch up seven runs, some of which were aided by errors. Suburbs again went through its line-up in the sixth. Monowai’s only run came in the bottom of the first innings when its lead-off,

Margaret Machirus, blasted a home run. Bumside virtually shut out Papanui in the first innings when Jane Earnshaw, Chris John, Donna Ward and Helen Townsend all scored. Papanui made a pitching change at the start of the second innings and that contained Burnside a little more, although Earnshaw and John scored in the second innings and Chris Kellam crossed home plate in the third, as did John for. her third run. Kellam gained her second run in the fourth innings and added a third in the sixth, while Kela Smith was responsible for Bumside's final run. Papanui’s run came through a two-base hit by Joanne Burrows to left field. She advanced to third on a fielder’s choice and scored when Debbie Chase forced Burnside’s only error .of the game.

Points:— W L D F A Pt Burns 13 13 0 110 21 26 Albion 13 11 2 70 17 22 Pap. 13 5 8 61 82 10 Kereru 13 5 8 57 100 10 Subs 14 4 10 66 79 8 M'wai 14 2 12 46 121 4