JSA CORPORATE LEAGUE
MATCH REPORT - 24 JUNE 2009

One could be forgiven for thinking it may be tennis they are watching – the yellow orb as it passes to the hitter, the thwack sound that it makes when the hitter makes contact and even more so when it is hit sweetly into a far corner or wildly into space. This is softball, week 4 of the Corporate League matches to be exact held at Les Quennevais, where 8 teams are battling it out to win the first of this type of league in Jersey’s softball world.

Sanne Group have maintained their top-of-the-league position beating PricewaterhouseCoopers 23-11 in what was a highly entertaining match, with home runs, stumbling from base and good fielding. Sanne’s new pitcher Colum Spillane soon found his rhythm and settled into this new fielding position for him whilst PWC’s Chris Wilson really proved himself in the field and at bat showing the opposition just what he is made of. It was a close game until the end when Sanne made all the right moves and soared ahead to keep their position at the top.

A lively match to watch was the Ozanne/Ogier Outlaw match which saw Ozanne contribute solidly in their first at bat innings returning 4 runners to home plate. There was exemplary fielding from both teams particularly from the short stop/2nd base combo Paul Burton/David Vasselin (Ogier) and Helen Oakley/Simon York (Ozanne) neither duo letting much past them. At the bottom of the 3rd it was Ozannes who looked like they had it in the bag – score 15-6 but Ogier, always up for a challenge, threw caution to the wind and took risks which paid off closing the gap to bring the final score to 15-12!

A breath taking match was the HSBC/Appleby game which saw tight fielding across the board with both teams taking advantages of fielding errors which made for the flurry of runs not to mention the highlighted home runs from Michael McParland (Appleby) and Nam Tran (HSBC). The main feature of this match just had to be the chances taken from both sides as well as the grand slam home run from HSBC’s Sam Lempriere, it could have been either team’s game but then HSBC drove runs in and picked up their game to peak and win the match 16-7.

Team 103 Blackhorse in high gallop beat their opponents RBC Canucks 16-9. 103 Blackhorse’s stars of the match just had to be Andy Barcis and Simon Davies, their fielding precision was paramount in making those important decisions to shut out RBC. RBC’s pitcher Becky Friedman has pitched consistently not only in this match but also throughout the league so far proving that women are not to be reckoned with. Final score 103 Blackhorse 16-RBC Canucks 9

COREFOCUS SUMMER LEAGUE
SUMMARY REPORT - 14 JUNE 2009

The current league leaders, Cubs, retained this position after their match against J Express Falcons who displayed some notable fielding in their attempt to curtail the confident batting and big hitters of the Cubs. Falcons took their chances which did pay off throughout the game including a shut-out in the second innings but it wasn’t enough to prevent the Cubs from scoring runs to the end. Falcons Andy Barcis had a very capable game on 3rd base making important outs supported by Lindsay Miller on 1st. Cubs increased their lead innings by innings with a very impressive home run by Matt Journeaux at the end who also had a stonking game on 2nd base but it was the short stop/1st base combo of John Rive and Claire Summers who proved unsurpassable with their infield outs.

One of the most anticipated and thrilling games of the season so far, was when CPA Global Pirates met the Niners. Batting by both teams was strong which included massive hits onto the next pitch resulting in home runs for both Nigel Hammon (Pirates) and Dan D’Oliviera (Niners). Neither team earned their runs easily as the defence was tight on both sides with some hectic and dramatic plays by both teams but it was Niners who took their opportunities and soared ahead at the end to make the final score 20-13. Both teams’ pitchers were consistent throughout with some good plays in the infield.

Meanwhile in the low scoring PBS Flyers/Thunder match saw the Flyers edge their way to a win by virtue of their better use of the bat. Thunder’s Richie Dyer was on form at short stop with his fielding flare. The Flyers’ defensive highlight was in the second innings with a double play turned by Garry Le Maistre at short top to Ray Foster at second and then to Sarah Cann at first base.

The next league matches are to be held on Sunday 12^th July.