Despite the tough competition, searing heat and numerous injuries on the first day, Team Jersey went from strength to strength, showcasing their incredible softballing skills to teams from all across the UK. After taking an early loss in the first of their games, the team then went on to take 2 back-to-back wins in the remaining 4 games.

The start of day two again proved to be difficult for Team Jersey as they came up against fiercely competitive teams ahead of the official announcement for placing. Ranking 8th in their group, Jersey proceeded into the quarter finals for the Plate with their heads held high and eventually found their batting groove, securing two fantastic wins to take them through to the final.

Jersey Softball Associations Head Island Coach, Ricardo Pedro, was thrilled with the weekends results: “We knew this competition was going to be tough but we wanted to compete at this level to give us the best possible preparation for the games against Guernsey. After a tough start the team bounced back which showed great character. Reaching the Plate competition play-offs was the goal for me so to come out as runners up is a great achievement and the team should be proud, I certainly am. We now shift our focus on preparing two strong teams to face Guernsey next month.”

At an awards dinner on Friday 21st August, CPA Global Black I.Ps were crowned the new champions of the Jersey Softball Associations Corporate League.

Over the summer, the Black I.Ps, who were newcomers to the league for 2015, battled against 7 other teams for the prestigious title. Team captain, James Marshall, was delighted with the result; “As a new team entering into the league this year, our aim was always to have fun and maybe take a couple of victories and put up a fight. For us to end the season the way we have has been a remarkable achievement in the face of several injuries, notable absences and as always, stiff competition. The team spirit shown by the players has been exceptional, and I could not be more proud to have coached such a positive team with a great attitude to the game”.

A clash between Jacksons Falcons and dms Jersey Flyers made for compelling viewing on Sunday 19th July for the Jersey Softball Associations Corefocus Summer League, with the two seasoned squads holding nothing back in search of the upper hand, and Falcons taking two injuries in what became a high attrition match. Flyers started strongly, with a home run coming from the first bat of Fil Gouveia, but Falcons reacted quickly and this proved to be the last of the match for their opposition. Flyers in turn, were more than capable of switching strategy at bat, and whilst the Falcons gave no quarter from the pitchers plate, Flyers continued to make steady enough progress round the bases. Though Falcons took 2 home runs in the first, only 1 run separated the teams going in to the second inning. The teams continued to trade blows in the following innings, with Flyers sneaking ahead in the close of the 4th by a single run following the first of the Falcons injuries on the field, Sam Lempriere taking the catch, but crashing to the floor and a doubt for the coming matches. Regrouped, the Falcons put in a stormer of an inning in the 5th to regain the lead, and put some distance between them and the opposition before the second Falcon fell, another knee injury to Andy Barcis. With no substitution allowed, Barcis struggled on for the remainder of the game. Undaunted, the Falcons put in their best performance yet in the 6th, adding another 10 runs to their tally to seal the deal without batting the 7th. Final Score Jacksons Falcons 22 – 12 dms Jersey Flyers.

The dms Jersey Flyers second game of the day saw them take on the fellow division two team, the Tigers. After a difficult game previously, the Flyers took a more light-hearted approach and the change in attitude seem to suit them as they rolled all the way through the order during their first at-bat, securing 13 runs before the Tigers secured the third out. The Tigers were then shut-out for their innings, and the game continued in a similar fashion for the remaining innings as the Flyers built on their lead with 3 homeruns from their captain Chris Le Lion and incredible batting averages from Michelle Thomson and Nikki Gassula-Sole. Final score dms Jersey Flyers 33-5 Tigers

At the same time, Jacksons Phoenix, took on the division two side, Corefocus Cubs. Despite some deep outfield drives at bat, the Phoenix team struggled to make it on base, sending the ball straight towards the gloves of the waiting fielders. The Phoenix squad found the right mix in the 4th and were able to hook together a series of safe base hits, but all too late to stage a comeback . Final score Corefocus Cubs 21 – 7 Jacksons Phoenix.

The second game of the day for the Jacksons Phoenix squad turn in another decent performance against the CPA Global Pirates. Chelsey Warner and Erik Renner each played a blinder in Left Field and at Short Stop respectively, and were justifiably rewarded with the players votes for MVP. Chaz Cunningham provided the squad with a moments reprieve at the close of the match with a belter of a home run, and all were left hoping that this signalled the return of Phoenix batting form. Final score CPA Global Pirates 29 – 3 Jacksons Phoenix.

In spite of the unseasonable conditions on Sunday  26th Julyfor the Jersey Softball Associations Corefocus Summer League, Jacksons Falcons lined up against the division 2 Tigers for their only meeting in the 2015 season. The Falcons took the opportunity to shake things up a little on the field, with some players in untested positions. Relaxed at bat on the rainy pitch, the Jacksons Falcons quickly established a lead which they maintained and extended through the match, home runs coming from skipper Robin Tadier, Ric Pedro and Paulo dos Reis. The classy Tigers battled throughout, showing the improvements earned through their season, with a number of good innings, and a mix of base hitting and outfield drives. They could not find much give in the Falcons defensive line however, and the birds of prey cruised to victory. Final score Jacksons Falcons 30 – 10 Tigers.

Mixed fortunes for Jacksons Phoenix saw them lose out to the CPA Global Pirates in a game that showed early promise. Jacksons Phoenix not only held back the Pirates but took a small lead in the opening few innings of their match. Some field changes in the third saw the Phoenix squad stumble, and despite a strong finish, the Phoenix team were unable to regain momentum. Final score CPA Global Pirates 16 – 3 Jacksons Phoenix.

A monumental game for the dms Jersey Flyers against Corefocus Cubs saw the Flyers take the victory of division two before the season has even ended. Initially trailing behind the Cubs after their first at-bat, things began to look promising for the Flyers until their ever keen short-stop Fil Gouviea threw himself in harm’s way in an incredible effort to secure a catch. Landing awkwardly on his hand, he was immediately chaperoned off the field and bundled off to A&E. The Flyers re-grouped and began to focus on aiming their hits to the ground and getting themselves on base. In the field, the Flyers were left shaken but not stirred by the departure of Gouviea and began to work together as the team they have grown to be this season. Their determination paid off as the Cubs only slipped by their defence twice more, totalling 6 runs by the end of the seventh innings. With the bats, Nikki Gasulla-Sole had several huge hits into right-field and Bruno Sousa proved that training and hardwork pays off with numerous outfield drives. Spirits lifted with these performances, the Flyers drove home a further 10 runs over the final innings, sealing not only the match victory but also the division title. Final score dms Jersey Flyers 13 – 6 Corefocus Cubs. The dms Jersey Flyers Players of the Match were given to Javier Gomez and Nikki Gasulla-Sole for their stand-out performances at short-stop and catcher.

Somewhat deflated by their earlier game, Phoenix had a shaky start against the Tigers in their second match of the day, but were able to start building a lead in the mid-section of the game. The newer recruits settling in, there are signs of some great fielding partnerships blossoming between Erik Renner, Chris Dyer and Peter Stayte, and the second game saw Jake O’Toole turn in a solid performance from Short Stop. Final score Jacksons Phoenix 13 – 5 Tigers.