Match Reports

These are reports from various games that we have played in the Windsor and Maidenhead District Mixed Softball League.

Each team has it's own way of choosing who writes the match report for a specific game. The Phoenix for example ask the game's donkey to write the report.

26 July 2011 - Rhythm 5-19 Chalfont Phoenix

Chalfont Phoenix guaranteed themselves a third place finish in the Windsor and Maidenhead Softball League with a workmanlike 19-5 win in Maidenhead away against basement team Rhythm.

Chalfont jumped out to open up a 4-0 lead in the first innings. David Crossman made Rhythm pay for intentionally walking Chalfont's best batter Chris Yoxall by hitting a fantastic home run down the right field line for a three run homer. Rhythm on the other hand struggled with the bat going three up thee down with pitcher Phil Masters and first base Steph McKean combining for two outs.

The game continued to follow the same pattern deep into the game, Chalfont adding a couple of runs per innings and Rhythm struggling to put any sort of offense together. With the bat David Crossman claimed another two RBI's when he hit a line drive to right field to score Yoxall and Sarah Wood. In the field third base Sarah Wood made a lovely pickup and throw to Crossman at second for a put out and Neil Turner took a nice catch deep in left field.

Leading 10-3 going into the fifth innings, the Chalfont batters stepped up their game. James Rowe hit through short stop to reach base and was brought home when Masters tripled deep into centre left field. Masters was brought home for the run on the very next play when Angela Tedman hit safely to second base. Clare Winter hit a line drive straight up the middle to advance Turner from first to third who then continued on to cause indecision in the infield which resulted in Winter sneaking to second while he came home for the run. Yoxall doubled to bring home Winter before Wood stepped up to hit long into left field for a home run with the help of an outfield error. By the time Rhtyhms short stop had committed an error to allow Lester Deeble to come home on a single from Helen Brown, Chalfont had racked up 7 runs and effectively put the game out of Rhythm's reach.

Rhythm had no answer to Chalfont's dominance in the field. Yoxall took a fantastic catch leaping high into the air to catch the ball high above his head and outs followed from all over the pitch with catcher Brown, third base Wood, left fielder Turner, first base McKean and pitcher Masters all making outs.

The game ended with Chalfont taking an easy win 19-5. Chalfont now have one game remaining at home against Honeyz Homers next week.

MVP: Davey - right field (HR) hitting
Donkey: James - Gammy knee, lack of strides, non-swinging K and pant flashing

(Author: Neil Turner)

12 July 2011 - Ascot Blue Sox 11-20 Chalfont Phoenix

Chalfont Phoenix travelled to Jocks Lane in Bracknell to take on the Ascot Blue Sox on Tuesday evening. Chalfont, looking to make a return to form having lost and drawn their two most recent games, knew they would have to play well to win against the Blue Sox who were on a two game winning streak.

Chalfont started quickly to pile on the runs in the first innings. Lead-off batter Neil Turner hit a home run into left field to start the team off. Chris Yoxall then brought Clare Winter home with a hard line drive triple down the left field line. Successive hits by David Crossman, Helen Brown, Phil Masters and Steph McKean kept the scoreboard ticking up and by the time Ascot had taken the third out to close the innings Chalfont had notched up seven runs.

Ascot needed to score well to keep pace with Chalfont otherwise it looked as if the game could quickly run away from them. Good work getting base hits by some of the opening batters was undone however when Lester Deeble at centre right and Turner at left field took one and two catches respectively to end their innings prematurely after only two runs had been scored.

Ascot were not making things easy for themselves in the field and key errors allowed Chalfont to extend the lead in the second innings. Winter took advantage of a missed catch to reach third base and was brought home by a huge home run by Yoxall. Sarah Wood then singled into left field before Crossman was dropped in right centre field. The mistake was punished with Wood and Crossman both making it home before the ball could be returned home.

Everything seemed to be going Chalfont's way. Chalfont shut out Ascot in the second innings with Yoxall making a great pickup and throw to take an out at first. They then scored another four runs through Deeble, Angela Tedman, Turner and Yoxall in the third. Great defence held Ascot to only one run in their third inning with Wood taking and amazing catch over her head whilst running backwards and Helen Brown making a tag at home following a good relay by second base Crossman.

At 15-3 Chalfont were cruising and the game meandered towards the inevitable victory. Ascot needed a big innings to get themselves back in the game but any time they showed a threat of doing so Chalfont seemed to be able to pull a big play out of the bag to snuff it out. In the fifth innings a low sliding catch by Turner and a good take by Allen at third base ended a three run rally and in the seventh a good catch by Winter at centre left and a diving catch from Turner ended another three run innings.

This comfortable 20-11 win for Chalfont means that third place in the league is almost secure with only two games left of the season. No game next week means the team can spend some time on batting practice ahead of a trip to Maidenhead to play the bottom of the league team, Rhythm.

MVP: Neil Turner - Excellent fielding and HR to start the game
Donkey: Clare Winter - Slipping/"Stealing" 2nd base

(Author: Neil Turner)

05 July 2011 - Chalfont Phoenix 13-13 Richings Park Eagles

Chalfont Phoenix hosted the Richings Park Eagles at Gold Hill Common on Tuesday evening looking to return to form following a heavy defeat away to the Windsor Knights last week. The teams met in the opening week of the season, a game that saw Richings Park come from behind to snatch a draw when a Chalfont win seemed certain.

Chalfont opened the game by giving the Eagles two gifts, a walk of their leading batter and then an error by short stop Chris Yoxall allowed the next to reach second base on an over throw. The Eagles took their chance and hit a hard line drive over Yoxall that skidded on the wet outfield for a two run triple. By the time Yoxall combined with second base David Crossman for the third out the Eagles had racked up six and Chalfont were already rooing missed opportunities.

Last week’s game saw Chalfont get out too many times to fly balls, so Chalfont needed a quick hard start keeping the ball on the ground. Lead-off batter Neil Turner hit a into right centre field for a double, but he was only advanced when Clare Winter and Yoxall were out one after another on fly balls. Turner scored when Sarah Wood hit into left field but the innings ground to a halt when Crossman flew out in right field. It already seemed it was going to be a long way back for Chalfont

Richings Park had an 8-4 lead by the mid-way point of the game. Chalfont hadn't really got going with the bats and were struggling to take simple outs when opportunities arose, Yoxall particularly was having trouble making even the easiest outs throwing to first base. The bottom of the fourth saw Chalfont pull themselves back into the game. James Rowe turned a single into a triple when he caused a number of defensive mistakes and was then brought home by Steph McKean. Phil Masters singled to advance McKean and she was scored by Tedman. Turner then took his third hit in as many at bats when he singled to right field and was scored, with Tedman, when Winter did the same with a triple. A four-run innings had pulled the score back to 8-8.

One run each was scored in the fifth, the Eagles through a huge home run over left centre field by Darrel Pitman and Chalfont through a triple from substitute Mike Cattermole to bring home Helen Brown. 9-9 and the heavens opened to make conditions difficult for both fielders and batters.

The Eagles opened the sixth as they did the first innings, capitalising on errors in the Chalfont field and scoring their first four batters. When Chalfont finally started making outs the damage had been done and a potentially game winning lead had been opened. Chalfont's response was short with only Tedman with a single and Turner with a home run into right field able to make any impression with the bat. At 11-13 down Chalfont needed a shut out to prevent the Eagles extending the lead in their last innings, and it was a shut out they got. Yoxall finally made an out a first base, then made a tag at second base for the second out and closed the innings with a catch.

After lead-off Wood had been caught in left field, Crossman hit a lovely line drive into centre field for a single and was brought home when Brown hit a double into left field. Brown, the potentially tying run was then advanced when she tagged up and slid into third base when Cattermole was caught by second base. But in the attempt to try and get Brown out the ball ran dead to bring her home to tie up the scores with one out remaining. However it wasn't to be a grandstand finish and instead the game ended 13-13 when McKean gave an easy catch to first base.

Chalfont can take heart from recovering from conceding six runs in the first innings, but again will come away from the game thinking they should have got more from the game. Next week gives Chalfont the opportunity to find some form with the bat and ball when they travel to play Ascot Blue Sox.

MVP - Neil Turner - Great all round game
Donkey - Phil Masters - Slipping over fielding a bunt, attempting a hobbling run down and stripping off in the pub.

(Author: Neil Turner)

21st June 2011 - BA Jets 5-8 Chalfont Phoenix

Chalfont Phoenix took at huge step towards securing a minimum of a top three finish in the league when they ground out an 8-5 win away at BA Jets on Tuesday evening. Conditions were testing with a strong blustery wind making pitching and outfield catching difficult.

Chalfont opened up with a great first innings. Lead-off hitter Neil Turner took advantage of the wind to homer into right field before Chris Yoxall doubled and Sarah Wood and James Rowe hit singles to bring home three runs. Stephanie McKean then loaded bases when she hit a cheeky ground ball to first base to bring up Lester Deeble. Deeble, making his season debut in the firs team, failed to advance the runners as he was drawn into hitting a high pitch on his third strike and the ball sailed off for a foul-out. As next batter Anglea Tedman hit straight to short stop for a catch it looked as if the innings would stall right there but a hobbling Phil Masters hit a lovely line drive to right field to bring home Wood and Rowe. With the run count on 5, Emma Allen hit into a fielder’s choice to allow BA to close the innings.

BA Jets answered with three runs of their own in the opening innings. A few defensive errors and good base hits to left and right centre field allowed the batters at the top of the order to advance before Chalfont started making outs when middle and lower order batters came to the plate. At 5-3 the game looked like it might be a high scoring one.

However as it turned out both teams struggled from then on to put an sort of scoring together. BA were shut out in four of the following six innings and Chalfont three. The game remained close throughout with neither team being capable of getting the ball onto the ground in the outfield and with only a few infield errors being committed both infields dominated. Yoxall at short stop had an excellent game, combining well with Rowe who was playing second base for the first time and McKean who had a solid game at first base, making some great catches and not letting any wayward throws past her. Wood had a shaky start on third base - she dropped a catch, had a few misfields and a couple of wayward throws towards first base - but recovered well and in the fifth inning took all three BA outs.

It is this sort of close low scoring game which Chalfont have failed to win in past seasons and the way an 8-5 win was ground out in testing conditions was a testament to how far the team as moved on this season. It now looks like a top three finish in the league is almost certain however the team will still be pushing hard as they are still very much in the hunt of the league title.

MVP: Woody - Great fielding at 3
Donkey: James - Missing an out at first, playing football with the ball, wearing short strides

(Author: Neil Turner)

8th June 2011 - Chalfont Firebirds 15 - Richings Park Hawks 10

Chalfont Firebirds hosted top of the league Richings Park Hawks at Gold Hill Common in what was glorious sunshine (with the odd shower) on Wednesday night after playing the majority of the Hawks team we faced Sunday morning in a quarter final for the Spoon at Diamond 2.

The Hawks started off at bat with luck on their side; their first batter getting on base after a bunt in front of home plate and the second batter taking a walk (which we'll give her seen as Louie had struck her out twice on Sunday). Louie then got his pitching mojo back by striking out their 3rd batter, the next batter put it in play but only for Gwyn at short-stop to field the ball and throw it to Barry at 3rd to get the 2nd out and pick off the lead runner. The pitcher Hawks had borrowed for the night from the league above base hit in to left field to score 2 runs for Hawks, they managed to score another before Gwyn took the final out when he fielded the ball and took 2nd base for himself. The Firebirds were quick to reply with both Gwyn and Catherine R dropping the ball just over the infield, Gwyn scoring from Catherines hit after some cheeky running, Don managed to get on base but only at the expense of Catherine being tagged at 2 and Liz got a 1 base hit. Louie stepped up to hit a huge 3 base hit which scored Don and Liz easily...the key word being "easily"... in no way did Liz need to get over excited and slide in to home...especially not about 6ft short of the plate...in fact it's almost a testament to how safe she was that she still had time to shuffle herself on to the plate without being tagged out, probably because the ball was still somewhere near 2nd base. With the donkey vote practically wrapped up the 'birds got back to fielding having evened the score.

Hawks 1st batter hit a 1 base hit, the 2nd batter up hit a low ball to 3rd base with Barry taking a great catch for the out, the catch was so good and low the runner on 1 had missed it and ran to 2nd base unaware they needed to tag up, Barry threw the ball to Catherine R who tagged him for the 2nd out. Hawks were back at the top of the order but Louie continued his fine form pitching as the batter struck out after watching an absolute peach fly over the plate. The 'birds were keen to get the runs going and Izzy stepped up to bat but after accidently hitting herself in the head with the bat (incidentally missing the ball) she had the giggles and a strike out followed. Danny hit a 1 base hit but pushed to get cheekily to 2nd...unfortunately he was tagged out by their 2nd base. Danni then got the ball in play despite having the pressure of being 2 down and we were back at top of the order and started a 2 down rally with Gwyn hitting a 3 base hit, Catherine, Don, Liz and Louie all hitting 1 base hits scoring 4 before the 3rd out came.

Firebirds continued the good run by playing some great defensive softball, keeping the ball infront of us and picking off the lead runner. Gwyn fielded and took another 2 outs by taking the bag and Don got the 3rd out with a catch in left-field. Unfortunately the Hawks were ready to play some good defensive softball themselves and shut us out in the bottom of the 3rd innings with Barry being caught in centre field after he hit a huge ball that unfortunately seemed to hang in the air with plenty of time for the fielder to get their glove under it. Izzy then suffered at the hands of the pitching again with another strike out, Danny hit another 1 base hit and Danni was unlucky to be caught out by 3rd base after hitting the ball in foul territory.

Hawks went in to the 4th innings needing to push for the runs and while they did base hit to try and knock the runners round it wasn't enough as the ball rarely got out of the infield. Catherine fielded and then took the first out at 2nd base, Louie got another strike out and while their top of the order male batter managed a 2 base hit, the next batter could only hit it back at Louie for an easy throw to Liz at 1 for the 3rd out. The 'birds got back to scoring with Gwyn aka "Mr Reliable" getting on base again Don getting on base but expense of Gwyn being out at 2nd and Liz made it on base for Louie to step up and hit a home-run in to centre-field to keep the runs ticking over...Liz even managed to stay on her feet while passing home-plate. Rosie then stepped up and hit what should have been a lovely 3 base line-drive in left-field, however Tom sent Rosie home when she reached 3rd base despite the already being back in the infield and she was tagged out while trying to get back to 3rd base for our final out.

With the end insight the Firebirds got a bit shaky and in an error stricken innings leaked 5 runs. Louie started the innings well, continuing to give Hawks' 3rd in the order batter a nightmare game when all he could manage is to hit it back to Louie who again made the easy throw to Liz at 1, 1 up/1 down, the next 2 batters managed to get on base and leave no force on 1, however Catherine R continued her fine form at 2nd base after fielding a ball for the throw at 1 to get our 2nd out, however Richings Park went on a 2 down rally of their own batting through their order before Gwyn took a great catch when Hawk's 3rd in the order batter hit a fly ball which looked to be dropping over Gwyn but somehow ended up in his glove. In reply the Firebirds could only manage 1 more run as Barry stepped up for a 3 base hit and Katherine L put the ball in play to get Barry home despite being out at 1 herself, some base hits followed but with the score now so close the Hawks played sensible softball and picked off the lead runner for 2 more outs.

After their best at bat so far the Hawks needed to turn their change in fortune into runs and try and take the lead for the first time in the game, however a fly-ball to Gwyn, a line-drive at Barry and another hit right back to Louie (something he said?!?!?) meant the 3 outs came quickly and the Hawks had failed to score any. The Firebird's then had another successful innings at bat, with Liz and Louie getting on base, Rosie could only hit it to the short-stop but after he fielded the ball too slowly was unable to tag Liz out running between 2 to 3, they took the out at 2nd base to get Louie out, but by this point Liz had turned 3 and was sent home sliding in to the plate to avoid the tag from the catcher... she even managed to reach the plate this time! Barry, Katherne L, Danny, Danni and Gwyn all managed to get on base before the final out came and the 'birds went in to the final innings with a 6 run cushion.

Hawks' first batter got on base only to be picked off when the next batter hit to Barry, an easy throw to Catherine meantt the 1st out came at 2nd base. Louie took his 3rd strike out of the game for the next out and before any more runs could be scored Catherine R took a catch at 2nd base to finish things for the mighty Firebirds!!!!!

All in all, a great game that sees us back at top of the table, after some great aggresive runs (possibly too aggressive *cough*Tom Hammill*cough*) and solid batting another well-deserved win.

Thanks again to Tom H, Woody and James for base coaching and everyone that came down to cheer!

MVP - Gwyn, solid at bat and fielding.

Donkey - Liz, the unnecessary slide in to home...that didn't make the plate, forgetting she was the next at bat...ermm there were many more reasons but i don't have all night!

(Author: Liz Williamson)

7th June 2011 - Chalfont Phoenix 33-8 Wildcats

Chalfont Phoenix hosted Maidenhead's Wildcats on Chalfont St Peter's Gold Hill Common in the return game of the error strewn match-up a couple of weeks ago that saw the teams tie 11-11.

Wildcats opened the game hitting multiple line drives to every part of the outfield. Helped by an overthrow to first base by short stop Chris Yoxall and a walk from pitcher Phil Masters the Wildcats moved runners around the bases to post five runs. Unlike in the previous meeting, Chalfont hit form with the bats right from the start. Neil Turner opened with a triple to right field to set the tone and was quickly followed by home runs from Yoxall and Dan Lovelace and a triple from Stephanie McKean. By the time Masters had been caught out deep in left field Chalfont had answered with five runs of their own and the game was most definitely on.

After scoring looked easy in the first innings, both teams tightened their grip to make runs harder to come by. Wildcats only highlight was a well hit three run homer that gave centre fielder Clare Winter no chance of the catch. Chalfont tried unsuccessfully to push hard round the bases, with James Rowe getting picked off with a tag when he tried to squeeze an extra base out of a ground ball from Turner.

When Chalfont came up to bat in the bottom of the third innings Wildcats led 8-5, and after Winter ground out and Yoxall being caught by a spectacular catch in left field things didn't look good for a come back. But Chalfont dug in and a double from David Crossman, a well hit single from Helen Brown and another home run from Lovelace allowed Chalfont to post up four quick runs to take a one run 9-8 lead.

Wildcats were quickly shut out to bring Chalfont back up to bat in what turned out to be the game winning innings. Chalfont suddenly found run scoring to be very easy indeed. Every batter that came to the plate seemed to be able to hit a safe line drive or to take advantage of many outfield errors that Wildcats committed in the field. Turner grabbed a double, Winter hit a great line drive up the middle, Lovelace doubled and McKean hit another triple into right field. By the time Masters was forced out at second base Chalfont had posted ten runs to lead 18-8.

Things didn't improve any for the Wildcats who looked beaten already. Their heads were down in the face of the prospect of having to dig themselves out of such a deep hole. So it wasn't surprising that they failed to score in the next inning. Second base Lovelace took a catch to take the first out and then Yoxall made a double play when he picked up a grounder, made the force out at second base before throwing to Brown to take the third out at first base.

The game was effectively lost and with no pressure on the batters, Chalfont piled on the runs. Yoxall, Sarah Wood and Crossman hit consecutive home runs with Yoxall's being one of the longest hits into left field Gold Hill Common has seen and every other player in the order played their part in getting on base to keep moving the runners round the bases to bring runs home. When the umpire called ball game Chalfont had hit home another 14 runs to make the score 33-8.

This win sees Chalfont preserve their third place spot in the league and keeps up their pressure on the Windsor Knights and Honyez Homers above them. Next week they have the week off before travelling to Heathrow to play the BA Jets.

MVP: Dan Lovelace - for his home runs
Donkey: Dan Lovelace - for busting his knee, sitting down in the batters box and still getting to 1.

(Author: Neil Turner)

1st June 2011 - Rattlesnakes 22-12 Chalfont Firebirds

The Firebirds played Rattlesnakes this week at the George Pitcher Memorial Ground in Burnham.
 
After a bitter first meeting, the Captains were quite nervous to meet the serpents once again but were confident in our team's ability, demonstrated over the last few weeks.
 
We started well, with Don opening with a home run! (We think you should bring the girlfriend every week!) and the next two batters all getting on base. Becky being tagged at three, Gwyn being caught on a fly ball and Dannii striking out, meant the innings ended with bases loaded after we had only scored two. Rattlesnakes returned with 4 runs scored but the team tactics at the beginning of the game had their Captain and best batter thrown when our outfield swapped the boys and girls around in anticipation of his strong hit to right field. The switch only got him to second base, result!
 
The second innings saw a repeat of the first; only two scored with it all coming crashing down around us with bases loaded. Rattlesnakes saw our heads drop and rubbed salt in the wound by scoring a further 7 runs. Debutant pitcher Louie knew the innings had to finish quickly, so took all three outs himself - strike out, after strike out, after strike out.
 
Batting into the third, Gwyn started us off with a walk, closely followed by Seb and 'the other Jones' batting their way to first base. A brilliant slide by Karen saw her safe at second base when the team were two down but the scoring was sadly ended when she was tagged out at three. Some cheeky base running had lifted spirits, and a catch from Don, a catch from Gwyn and an out from Louie and Liz gave us what we wanted - three up, three down!
 
The fourth innings needed to see the Firebirds score runs, we were trailing 11-5; it was all still to play for. But why was the batters box intimidating the Firebirds? The balls were flying high into the air, right into the fielder's gloves. However, we didn't let it get us down when walking out to field, another shut out from the mighty Firebirds - first out being made by Seb's 'moobs', second out from Louie to Catherine at two and Don making the third out from a catch at left field.
 
It was top of fifth and with none scored by the opposition for two innings, the Firebirds needed to take full advantage and get solid base hitting from the first to repeat. Dannii and Seb obliged, with Karen also taking a walk but Don was caught at centre right and Becky's line drive meant Seb was tagged at three. Catherine stepped up with the team two down, and hit straight to the pitcher who threw to first base. Rattlesnakes had pulled their socks up and started the batting again with a home run hit tight against the foul line in right field. This started a trend, and they ended their scoring turn with 6.
 
A team talk at the top of sixth was required, 'let's keep our heads, relax guys, do we need a team hug?' were obviously magic words uttered by the Captains as Barry started us off again with a beautiful home run hit over centre left's head. Or did he just not want that hug? Liz got to first base with ease, so did Gwyn but two fly balls that followed from Dannii and Karen saw our luck begin to change once again.
 
Bottom of the 6th innings, Rattlesnakes started their bat at the top of the order and all got on base. Barry soon rained on their parade by taking two catches at third base and new junior player Becky took her first outfield catch confidently at right field to finish us off.
 
We batted the seventh innings, but two caught fly balls and another strike out meant the blue called ball game and we had lost 22-12.
 
MVP was Becky for her outfield catch and Donkey was Don for various reasons, possibly the new Lester? Also, a big well done to Seb and Louie for batting 1000 and thank you to Karen for stepping up and playing for us at the last minute.
 
A top of the league clash next Wednesday has got the captains already sending out invitations to play and working out tactics, so make sure you're available to come along and support on Goldhill Common.
 
(Author: Emma-Louise Allen)

31st May 2011 - Chalfont Phoenix 22-11 Rhythm

Chalfont Phoenix returned to form on Tuesday when they recorded a comfortable 22-11 win at home against Rhythm, the team that is propping up Windsor and Maidenhead Softball League.

Rhythm opened the game by quickly putting three runs on the board through a combination of a number of hard hit ground balls, good base running and the odd fielding error from Chalfont. However Chalfont answered back immediately putting on four of their own. Neil Turner, Clare Winter and David Crossman all made base with well hit balls and were rewarded when the following batters advanced them for runs.

Chalfont piled the pressure on Rhythm in the second innings, first with the ball and then with the bat. Second base Lovelace took a catch for the first out, then combined with short stop Chris Yoxall to narrowly miss taking a second-to-first double play. Left field Turner had an easy catch for the third out to shut out Rhythm. With the bat Chalfont were workmanlike, James Rowe singled to right field before coming home on a sacrifice fly by Phil Masters, Sara Daughtrey singled and then Turner drew the walk on two down load up the bases. Yoxall then stepped up and launched a long fly ball into centre field to notch up a four run grand-slam home run to move Chalfont out to a 9-3 lead.

After holding Rhythm to three runs in the third innings, Chalfont stretched away with everyone contributing with the bat. Helen Brown and Angela Tedman made it on to base with ground balls down the left field line and Emma-Allen returned to form with the bat when she hit a great line drive to centre field to score Lovelace. Masters kept the score ticking when he tripled to centre field to bring home Rowe and Allen. When Yoxall hit hard into left field to bring home Daughtey and Turner, Chalfont had a commanding 16-6 lead.

With over half the game still to play Chalfont had done the hard work and put the game out of Rhythm's reach. They simply had to match Rhythm's scoring rate for the remainder of the game, and this week they did, looking solid in the field and being able to step it up with the bats when they needed to.

Chalfont Phoenix remain third in the league with this win and they are only two points from league leaders Honeyz Homers. They will be looking to avenge last weeks draw against the Wildcats when they host them in the return game next Tuesday evening.

MVP: Neil Turner and Sarah Wood
Donkey: Neil Turner - thinking he was so good that he didn't need a glove to field with

(Author: Neil Turner)

24th May 2011 - Wildcats 11-11 Chalfont Phoenix

Chalfont Phoenix travelled to the Wildcats of Maidenhead looking to extend their winning streak of three games. The game was immediately thrown into doubt as soon as the teams arrived the the Bray playing field when it was apparent that there had been a double booking and a cricket game was to take place on it. When the teams quickly dashed across the town to another location it was clear warm up was going to be short and it was going to be difficult to start of the game fully focussed.

And so it was Wildcats that made the better start. Chalfont managed only a single run to open the game, David Crossman made the only decent hit and the innings ended when both Sarah Wood and Phil Masters committed the cardinal sin of striking out by not swinging at the third strike. Chalfont's woes continued in the field as uncharacteristic errors littered the innings. By the time second base Crossman and pitcher Masters had taken catches for outs two and three, Chalfont had committed three errors on fly balls and the Wildcats had been gifted three runs.

Chalfont however upped their game and showed what they are capable of with the bat in the second innings. James Rowe tripled to score Helen Brown and was then brought home when Sara Daughtrey line drived the ball into right field. Dan Lovelace then had a nice hit into centre field for a single. Mike Cattermole, making his debut for the team then showed no nerves by hitting a lovely single to centre field to load up the bases. Emma-Louise Allen was next to the plate. Allen hit a fly ball to left field for the second out, but a wayward throw by the Wildcats fielder allowed Daughtrey and Lovelace to score and Cattermole to advance. Cattermole was brought home for his first run for the team when Turner made it to third base on a solid line drive to right field. When the third out was taken, Turner had been brought home by Winter and Chalfont led 7-3. The Wildcats were unable to add to their score when their innings was brought quickly to a close when second base Crossman made an excellent double play on a hard hit ground ball, tagging the runner running from first and then making the throw to first base Brown to also get the batter out.

It was slow going for both teams for the next three innings, neither team looking like they wanted to make the move that could ultimately win the game. Angela Tedman was having a great game in left centre field - she made two excellent stops on the ground and took a difficult catch on a high swirling fly ball. Pitcher Masters was having another fine game with the ball and striking out three batters and exerting pressure on numerous others by lobbing in strikes early in the count.

Standing at 8-5 to Chalfont going into the sixth innings, the game was set for a tight finish. Lovelace doubled into left field to score Daughtrey on one down and it looked as if Chalfont were in position to extend their lead further. However ground balls to third base and short stop from Tedman and Cattermole allowed Wildcats to pick off the lead runners and limit Chalfont to just the one run. Wildcats then looked to close the gap. Their lead-off batter hit a safe line drive to Turner in left field before Masters made another strike out, this fourth of the game. The next Wildcats batter singled to right field, advancing the runner to third base. However the runner tried his luck to reach home and caused short stop Lovelace to try and make the out with a throw to home. Allen made a great catch above her head but the runner had scored and in the meantime the batter had reached second base to release the force. A ground ball back at the pitcher could have led to a double play if the force had been kept on the previous play instead resulted in a single out at first base and the runner at second advancing to third. A well hit line drive to left field finally scored the runner to make the score to 9-5 to Chalfont when the innings ended on fly ball to Crossman who was now playing centre right.

Chalfont's final inning with the bat started well when Turner doubled again on a well hit drive to centre field and Winter singled to centre right on which Turner scored and as a result forced a throw that allowed Winter to move to second base. Crossman was unlucky next up when he hit a cracking drive down the right field line only for the first base fielder to stick out her glove in hope only for the ball to go right into it for the stop and out at first. Masters eventually brought Winter home for the run before the innings closed when Brown was picked off at third.

11-7 with only the Wildcats to bat. Chalfont had a few runs to play with and felt they could defend the lead. However a combination of well hit line drives, a fumble from Cattermole and second and confusion on who was covering third base when Wood was dragged off the base to field a ground ball allowed the Wildcats to load up the bases. The next Wildcats batter made Chalfont pay. A long fly ball was hit to centre left - it was difficult to judge and it fell agonisingly just over Winters glove and the grand slam was scored to tie the game. Outs two and three were quickly made on grounders to Cattermole and Masters and game ended with the scores level.

Chalfont failed to reach the heights of the last couple of weeks, struggling with the bat for periods of the game and committed one too many mistakes in the field and will come away from this game thinking this one was one win that got away from them. The team shouldn't beat itself up about the grand slam in the end as there were many other contributing factors that lead to the team not scoring enough or Wildcats scoring so many. Finally, there were positives in the game that Chalfont shouldn't lose sight of - Pitcher Masters was on top form and did well with the bat, Crossman batted solidly and had a great game in the field, Daughtrey batted well as did Turner, Tedman struggled with the bat but more than made up for it in the field and Cattermole made an impressive debut on the team. Next week the team can look to push on as they host the struggling Rhythm.

MVP: Davey Crossman (double play and batting)
Donkey: James Rowe (very short shorts)

(Author: Neil Turner)

18th May 2011 - Rhythm 3 9-20 Chalfont Firebirds

The mighty Firebirds travelled to Maidenhead this week to face Rhythm's 3rd team.
 
Don stepped up and started us off with a solid 2 base hit, and was later batted in by Lester Deeble hitting a great 3 base hit. Gwyn scored Lester and the first two runs were notched up. Rhythm followed scoring their first 3 batters and saw the Firebirds pull their socks up and get the next two batters out from a tag by Gwyn and Lester and Liz (a partnership lovingly nicknamed Lizter) working to get the out at first base. A strike out from Rhythm's 'Blade Runner' ended the first innings.
 
Co-captain Liz started the batting off in the second innings by taking a walk, and she and Barry were batted in by Don. Special mention for Liz's slide into second base, the first of two this game and perhaps ever I think?! New junior member Becky followed suit and with both her and Don on base, Flames Captain Deeble stepped up to hit a home run. The Firebirds failed to score after this and took to the field. The new Rhythm team only scored 1 in the next innings with Liz taking all the outs on first base from good throws in from Catherine Rowe and Lester Deeble.
 
Top of 3, with Liz back on first base, Barrie was caught out from a hit to centre left and debutant Katherine Lack got out at first base. However the 'birds were back to top of the order and Don and Becky didn't buckle under the pressure of the team being 2 down. Lester took a walk, amidst banter from Phoenix Captain Chris Yoxall shouting 'real men hit'! but it scored Don. Izzy Pitman then hit a cracking ball to right field so also scored Becky and Lester but after all her hard work, was picked off at 2nd base from Gwyn's hit. Great fielding and accurate throws from Mr Cool Gwyn Jones and Mr Calm Don Chester meant Rhythm could only score 1 run in return.
 
The fourth innings was upon us, had the Firebirds got too comfortable with an 11-5 lead? The spark was temporarily lost with a shut out from Rhythm, team Mum Catherine Rowe out at 1, new player Darren Monteiro caught by the short stop and Liz Williamson striking out. The Co-Captains subbed Don Chester for Harvey Waywell, and the innings closed with only two runs scored by Rhythm.
 
Chalfont's third team went into the fifth leading 8-11, Rhythm were close on our tails and the pressure was felt by all as we failed to score despite having Barrie, Katherine and Becky on base. Rhythm tried to take advantage of a disappointing bat for the Firebirds but heads didn't fall and the two teams began an out-on base-out-on base rally, started by Barrie catching a foul ball at 3rd base.
 
Top of the 6th, the score was tight but Izzy talk a walk to first base, and Gwyn closely followed. They were both batted in by Co-captain Williamson but the scoring was over too soon. Back out to field, two rather dramatic catches from Harvey didn't get Rhythm off to the best start but they soon loaded their bases up again, only to have Darren take another catch in left field preventing them from running home.
 
Going into the seventh, Firebirds were winning 13-9 so it was still all to play for but we were again the top of our batting order. Harvey Waywell unknowingly relaxed his team mates with comedy sliding into first and second base. A new penguin style, two footed with a face plant thrown in. Something to practise in training perhaps coaches?! The next 4 batters all got on base, Izzy batted in Don, Gwyn batted in Lester, Liz batted in Gwyn. Finally, a hit to right field cleaned up and gave Barry the home run he had deserved all game, which later in the bar won him this weeks MVP vote. With Katherine Lack hitting to the pitcher and getting out at first base, we had done all we could going out to the field. What a finish, Lester through to Liz to make the first out, Darren took another catch at left field, and Harvey and Catherine made the last out at 2nd base. The supporters let out a loud victorious roar from the sidelines.
 
Thank you to all the supporters, specifically Tom Hammil for base coaching third base all game, even if it did earn him the donkey vote after he accidently kept a ball in play for the opposition!
 
Another fantastic win for the new team, next week we'll rest and return in two weeks time all refreshed intent on defending that winning streak.
 
(Author: Emma-Louise Allen)

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