With
September coming to a close, the weather could have been better, and the
promised sunshine never showed up, and although cool, at least it stayed
dry. This cooler weather of course would be handicap to the Old
Timers.....wouldn't it?
Another pop up!
Jazz rounds first
Tom is held on at first
Marty avoids an inside pitch (above); Tom Williams on his Mavericks debut (left)
A catch on the run in CF (above); 1B George Simmons (right); throw from 2b (far right)
Old Timer starter - Paul Raybould (above). Tom Sheridan rounds the bases after his HR (left)
SS, Pete Badenhuizen
Jamie Barnett started his first game on the mound for the Mavericks since the London tournament, and for almost the first time this season, there was no Duncan Phillippo at 3B, as he was probably 20,000 leagues under the sea somewhere.
Both sides put two runs on
the board in the first inning, the Mavericks including a solo HR from
Tom
Sheridan Sr, and the Old Timers added another in the second. In fact
this was the way the game went, with the Mavericks having to play catch
up, as the Old Timers showed they had lost none of their skill with the
bat.
Now either I'm getting or
older, or the Old Timers are
getting younger (....no replies to that please!), but the Old
Timers
showed not only had their offensive not diminished, but their defense
had certainly improved. A catch on the run in CF; a barehanded grab and
full length toss to first base; and throwing out a batter from deep in
the hole, all came from the visitors gloves, and left the Mavericks
feeling it was easier against much of the Division One opposition they
had faced this year! In fact the difference between the sides on the
day, apart from the greater experience of the Old Timers, was that they
fielded much the better of the two teams.
In the end the Old Timers
ran out winners yet again (...have we ever beaten them? !!), in a
thoroughly enjoyable game, and it certainly showed some of the newer
members of the Mavericks squad, that it takes more than just speed and
strength to win a game of baseball.
That
said, Jamie, and Marty Poulter (in relief) both pitched good games on
the mound. Ally Carr had an excellent day at third, catching two runners
stealing and making a couple of other good plays. Tom Williams playing
his one and probably only game (as he is off to Oxford next year),
showed promise, with bat band ball.
Marty
also finally found last seasons batting form....shame it was about 16
games too late; and Jazz yet again proved a solid bat in the lineup.
So
that
really is the end for this season. The next game will be in the
pre-season next April (?), and off season training will be commencing
after Xmas. Of course there is the end of season awards, which is being
held at the Percy Arms in Chilworth to look forward to......and all
bribes should be sent to the editor!
Stats will follow once Marty has finished admiring his, and got round to totalling everyone else's up as well!
Mavericks MVP: ?
