Softball history …

On paper this one always looked as though it was going to be tight, and so it proved with a truly amazing game that may well go down in Softball history. The standard of play and sportsmanship from both sides were impeccable throughout and those lucky enough to take part are unlikely to forget such a rollercoaster of an evening.

The first 6 innings were nip and tuck with neither side managing to build a substantial lead.

At the top of the fifth came a moment which shocked us all. Our inspirational leader Charles ‘skipper’ Astwood was given out with a controversial late third strike call. Everyone then went silent and waited for the inevitable outburst of expletives, only it didn’t arrive! Charles calmly placed his bat on the floor and shouted ‘well bowled’ to the opposition pitcher. Congratulations Charles on displaying a level of sportsmanship no over dreamed you were capable of.

The next main talking point really was something to savour. After two seasons of gallantly swinging hard, but rarely connecting, the unthinkable happened at the top of the fifth and Cheryl ‘tennis ball’ Gill launched one into the outfield and triumphantly skipped round all the bases for a memorable debut home run. Lets just say the subsequent scenes of congratulations which fast turned into a team bundle wouldn’t have looked out of place at WWE WrestleMania 22.

Finally in our 7th innings we managed to bring a few home and build a vital lead. 5 to be exact with Fernandes and Spires being the main contributors.

And so to the final innings of the game with Travel trailing 18 – 13.  The bangers were looking confident with plenty of noise and encouragement coming from the outfield. That unfortunately soon turned to silence when within two minutes Travel suddenly found themselves with loaded bases. Their fourth slugger than stepped up to the plate and smashed one straight over Joe ‘lego lightning’ Lygoe. Despite Joe’s best efforts and determination (mainly facial) to chase after the ball and hurl it in, all batsmen made it home. Things were going from bad to worse when the next hitter made it all the way round thanks to a poor throw from Les ‘money on the ball’ Abraham and a rare misjudgement from Ned Spires at first base. 18 – 18. With heads all over the field dropping and the next three batters managing to fill the bases it appeared the brave Bangers were going to fall agonisingly at the final hurdle. With an eerie silence across the field Fernandes pitched a curler which was promptly launched skyward. With three fielders converging underneath, someone had to claim it. Stand up the skipper as “mine” was screeched across the field. Charles managed to hold off the nerves, catch the ball, turn and tag the guy running back to second and then throw the ball to third for what could be one of the most exciting triple plays in sporting history. Unfortunately the throw was a little wayward so Joelle, our third base catcher, dived to her right, took a blinding one handed catch, leapt to her feet and tagged the runner just inches from the base. “Team out” shouted the umpire, in complete awe of the triple play he had just witnessed. Hugs, kisses and high fives all round. The final score was 18 – 18. What an advert for softball. For those who couldn’t be there you truly missed a cracker!

Home runs: Cheryl Gill, Ned Spires, Allwyn Fernandes

Catches: Charles Astwood, Cheryl Green 2, Kelly Wardman

Drops: Spires 3, Abraham 3