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Cheddar,
Aug 14th 2005
The final day of the regular
season, and the fixture computer had been kind enough to send
 the
Mavericks
 to
the west country to take on the Cheddar Rockies, at by far the
most scenic ground in the league. The only downside, was that it
turned into a 3 1/4 drive in both directions, thanks to
Stonehenge rubberneckers on the A303, and an accident and
shopping trip (thanks Marty!) on the M4
With August holidays taking
their toll, the Mavericks were only able to field the minimum 9
players, so it was a case of few players having to play out of
position, but this didn't seem to harm morale (and for some
strange reason, neither has a 1-14 season!). Cheddar themselves
were struggling for numbers, and certainly it must be very
difficult playing at such an outpost, with Guildford being one
of the closer away games. They deserve credit for competing
these last couple of season, although again, the month of
August, has seen 3 forfeits in the last 3 games for the Rockies.
A late arrival because of the
traffic, meant the start was delayed until 2:30pm, but that
didn't stop the Mavericks taking the field by
2:33pm.........shame we were the visiting team and therefore
batting first. So after going down 1-2-3 in the first, the
Mavericks
took to the field in spirit if not in body, as a few errors
later, the Rockies had racked up a 9 run inning. The stronger
batting line up that the Rockies were able to field, was able to
put many more balls into play, and a swirling wind didn't help
matters, knocking down a couple of fly balls to Marty in Left,
before he could reach them.
 That
said, Duncan, playing Short for the first time this season, and
Nick at First, were both having good games, although even Duncan
was left clutching at thin air, as an otherwise good playing
surface had a hollow in the SS area, that caused one or two
ground balls to suddenly jump 9ft into the air.
The Mavericks got on the board
in the second as Duncan Phillippo lead off the inning,
 with
his first Home Run for the club. Shame it was his last regular
season game, but a towering shot nonetheless, and was gone from
the moment it left the bat. A walk from Owen
 and
a Mike Burdett single, put two
 runners
on with none out, but unfortunately the Mavericks were unable to
take advantage of this situation, with the next 3 retired in
order.
This was pretty much the
pattern for the game, as the Rockies tacked on a couple of runs
each inning, even though Owen was as usual in and around the
strike zone. The Mavericks were however struggling to create any
threats, and it wasn't until a 3 run 6th inning, keyed by a 2
run triple from Mike Burdett, that they were able to add to the
score.
Needing something of a minor
miracle to take the game past 7 innings, the Mavericks were
retired in the 7th without scoring, leaving Cheddar as
comfortable victors. Although far from perfect in the field, the
Mavericks in the main, were let down by the lack of hitting,
especially considering they had the better pitching. This leaves
just a rearranged game with Burgess Hill to try and fit in, and
then a play-off game, to decide 17th and 18th place on the
division, against one of the Birmingham teams.
There's a Gorge near here? 1B Nick Jolly at bat Rockies and the Gorge Heather at bat Nick is safe at two Paul lets one go Rockie Starter Marty leads from second Duncan homers in his last game
Maverick MVP:
Duncan Phillippo
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