Sliders welcomed the Cubs to Newforge last night hoping to avoid a repeat of the 28-5 hammering they received in the reverse fixture. It didn’t bode well that the home team were once again playing short handed whilst the visitors had turned up with a full roster (so much purple!). Sliders’ mood didn’t improve much once play began. The Cubs have batting quality throughout their line-up and it showed as they relentlessly got on base scoring 7 in the first.

Sliders’ response improved the mood somewhat. Patient batting got players on base, finding gaps in the Cubs defence as they scored 4 including a homerun from Dave that saw him chase Kirsty around the bases in the process. Then the Sliders defence got to work with the infield pulling out all the stops stranding Cubs runners on base time after time. Kirsty pulled off a fantastic clean stop from a line drive for an easy out at first, John seemed to be everywhere making catches and plays at shortstop and Jay got in the act with a long throw to 1st from 3rd. Despite the outfield seeming huge with only three out there little got past and Paul took a great catch on the run calling off his captain at the last minute. Jonny was enjoying one of his best games pitching in green picking up nimerous of high profile strikes. Suddenly there was hope of an upset. Continue reading “Sliders v Cubs Recap” →

On Monday night Sliders welcomed the Smokin’ Aces to Newforge. It was the second meeting between the two in as many weeks and the fixture was much anticipated after last week’s tight game.

The Aces made a good start getting 4 in the first innings. Sliders defence had a more familiar feel to it this week and it showed with some sharp plays. Sliders first innings, as in the previous two games, was a big one, taking advantage of some wayward pitching by demonstating patience atthe plate and dispatching anything hittable into the outfield as they ran in 11. Aces scored 2 in the second innings which proved to be their last until the sixth but the numbers don’t tell the whole story. In each of the following three innings Sliders found themselves facing multiple runners on bases with outs to get but each time shut them out including one by John with a streching over the shoulder pressure catch. Meanwhile at bat, the scores kept coming in with everyone who batted getting round at least once. In the fourth Sliders ended any hope of a come back with an innings of 9 with Kirsty smashing a triple on her last at bat to take the score to 29-6. Dan’s last innings 3rd base batting woes against the Aces continued this week when he got to see how good Emma’s hitting was up close. Showing phenomenal bat speed she lined one to left field but the Sliders captain was slow to respond taking the full force on the wrist. To add insult to injury, in an attempt to get out of the way he left the base and was called out! All in all, it was a return to form for Sliders with a very polished performance. Final score: Sliders 34 – 8. Next up the Buccs at the end of July