WANGANUI BASEBALL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 30, 6 February 1939, Page 5

WANGANUI BASEBALL

BENSEL SHIELD COMPETITION

SATURDAY’S RESULTS Another series of matches in the Wanganui Baseball Association’s Bensel Shield competition was played on Saturday in fine weather. The games showed marked improvement in nearly every team and next season a really high standard of play should be produced. A pleasing feature of the games is the interest the public are beginning to show in the matches, a good crowd gathering at each ground. United v. Harriers B.—This was quite a good game and provided some thrilling baseball for the spectators. United’s fielding was good and both teams’ batteries played well. Moore, Howatson and Gibbs scored home runs for United. Star B v. Sash and Door.—Steady baseball was the feature of this game and each team’s fielding was equal to the other’s batting. Hean, of Star B, fielded excellently and never seemed to miss a catch. The play was mainly confined to infield, although several runs were added to each team’s score by overhrows. Star A v. P. and T.—This game was very one-sided. P. and T. would put up a much better game if they practised during the week and although they have a good pitcher they do not back him up. The batting of both teams was good. B. Whatnough, H. Johnson and Phillips scored home runs for Star A.

Wanganui East v. Watersiders B.— The play in this game was very fast and both teams played excellently. Wanganui East’s fielding was very good but Watersiders’ brilliant catching played havoc with their opponents’ hard hitting. A home run was scortd for Wanganui East by A. Allen. Watersiders A v. Merewethers This game, although rather one-sided, was quite good. Merewethers sur-

i prised all by their remarkable improvement in every section of the game. Their hitting was strong and in the second innings they scored 20 runs. Watersiders were unfortunate in not having all their own players and had to put several newcomers on the field. Pirates v. Harriers A. —This was the best game of the day and provided the large gallery of spectators with some really fast and exciting play. From the start both teams were all out to win. There was little to pick between the players, although S. Green and G. Pedley fielded excellently for Pirates. Base runners had their work cut out Io reach their bases before the fielding overtook them. Strategic play was well to the fore and some clever base stealing was witnessed. Scores were as follow:

Alderwick. Low (Rapanui) 19, v. Sodon. Colmcr, Coltman, Upton 32. Practice Games Havill, J. T. Williams, Thomson, Hunger 37, v. Gibson, F. Whitlock, Holland, Puddle 21. Chesswas, Pidgeon, Anderson 22, v. Hoffman, Barrow, Kendrick, G. Smith 20. F. Smith. Wakely, Carpenter 21, v. Clements, Burns, Newsome 21. Club Competitions Members interested are requested to note that a further draw has been made in the A and P pairs and singles, handicap singles, and Gordon pairs. There is special need for the Gordon pairs games to be played without delay. Supplementary Pairs Any members who wish to take part in this popular competition and who has not entered are requested to give in their names to-day as the draw will be made to-night.

Star A 2' , v. r. and T. 1 Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Star A 7 6 2 10 2 0 0 P. and T. 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 Home Runs.— Star A : H. Johnston, F. Phillips and B. Whatnough one each. 1 nited 38 v. Harriers B 8 Innings 1 2 3 4 5 0 7 United 7 3 4 in in n 4 Harriers B .3 1 0 0 0 2 2 Home Runs.— United Moore. Howatson and Gibb one eacn. Wanganui East 30, v Watersiders B 14 In nings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Wanganui East 5 14 4 3 1 3 0 Watersiders B .. 5 0 0 0 0 8 1 Homo Runs.— Wanganui East: A. Allen one. Merewethers 3;’ , v. Watersiders A 4 Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Merewethers 1 20 0 15 17 Watersiders A 3 0 0 10 0 0 Home Runs.--Watersiders A: E. Wilson one. Sash and Door 16, •. Star B 8 Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Sash and. Door 6 0 12 3 13 Star B 0 5 0 0 10 2 Harriers -A 12, v. Pirates 7 Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Harriers A . 4 3 1 0 0 4 0 Pirates . . 1 o 2 0 4 0 0