United ends Wanderers season

The first final for the weekend saw third place Wanderers take on fourth place Concordes United in some tough conditions.

The first innings for both teams showed some excellent fielding with no runs crossing the plate for either side.

Tylar Kennett up first for United started the ball rolling in the second with a double to right field.

Sarah Thomson with her first of four safehits for the game getting herself on then saw Rosie Clarke with a double to left field scoring Thomson for United’s first run across the plate.

An RBI to Dana Jones scored Bec White and a safehit to Julie Beck scoring Clarke gave United a three run lead at the top of the second.

Rej Smith, pitching well for Wanderers, was able to fight back and get their necessary outs they needed to end the innings.

Wanderers fought back hard with the bat with safehits from Abbie Lovekin and Tracey Anderson putting pressure on United’s fielding that caused an error scoring Lovekin for Wanderers first run.

Jones with a KC saw the first out for United before a safehit to Fiona Finch scored Anderson.

Thomson fielding the ball for United at short stop played smart and got the second out at third before a double from Lily Clifford-Finch scored Edie Jones and advanced Finch to third base.

Another hit to Thomson at short stop saw her hold the runner and play first but Smith quick on her feet advanced to first safely whilst Finch was able to cross the plate scoring another run.

A safehit to Leanne Little scored Clifford-Finch and Smith bringing their tally to six runs. Anderson with a hard hit to second wasnt lucky enough with Tylar Kennett quick on her feet to catch and secure the third out.

Going into the third, Leonie McCallum wasted no time with a safehit to left field on the first pitch. Thomson with another strong bat advanced runners to load the bases up. Sisters White and Clarke, both with safehits, scored more runners home. Newbie Dianne Wilson with a massive double to left field scoring another two runs with White and Clarke.

Wanderers, not letting pressure get to them, saw a beautiful catch to Charli Kaigg at centre securing the first out, before Smith with a KC made the second out.

Codie Jackway changed things up batting left handed seemed to work in her favour with a safehit and RBI saw United with a seventh run crossing the plate. Smith, in the circle battling hard, received a fly ball back to get the third out.

At the bottom of the third, Wanderers put the pressure back on United with their first three batters all getting on and home safe.

Superstar Clifford-Finch, with another safehit and some speedy legs, stole to second and a beautiful hit by Smith scored Clifford-Finch for their fourth run.

Some quick outs and a beautiful catch by Beck at second ended the innings with the score at 10-all.

The top of the fourth innings was quick for both teams – Clifford-Finch for Wanderers once again showing her skill with securing all three outs. United returned the pressure with some quick outs from White at first and a beautiful catch to McCallum at third ended the fourth innings.

In the fifth innings United, with a couple of safehits from Jackway, Thomson and White, saw two runs cross the plate.

Wanderers then came out firing with the bat – Kaigg battling hard in the box saw herself get a walk, Finch showing her skill with a beautiful hit to left getting herself on, Clifford-Finch following her mother’s bat with another safehit scoring Kaigg. Smith, up next to bat, put United under pressure with a misfield scoring Finch.

An injury saw United change their field positions with youngster Harmony Kennett having to play in a position she was new too adapted very well.

A walk to Lovekin allowed Clifford-Finch to cross the plate and load the bases. Anderson, with a hit to centre scored Smith, which left the bases loaded.

McCallum fielded the ball and played the first out at third, but not before Little crossed the plate.

United keeping their heads high fought back hard with a couple of quick outs.

At the top of the sixth United’s Jones got on with a walk, and some speedy base running saw her cross the plate. Wanderers kept calm and worked hard to get the outs they needed to end the innings.

United fought back hard in the field McCallum showing her skills with a couple of outs at third, picking off Wanderers lead runners.

Jones working hard on the mound backed up by Jackway behind the plate were able to secure a KC for the third out leaving the score 15-13 Wanderers way.

Going into the top of the seventh United knew they had to work hard and score runs. Thomson the lead off batter hit a hard one causing an error in the field and getting herself safe at first.

White up next with a single to right allowed Clarke to put some pressure on with her hit resulting in an over throw to first base scoring Thomson and pushing White to third.

Wilson with a hit to third scored White and when Jones got an intentional walk it loaded up the bases. Beck up to bat knew her job to be a batter and with a couple of wild pitches Clarke and Wilson were able to score.

Smith fought back hard resulting in a K2 for the first out. Jackway was causing havoc with another forced error scoring Jones and advancing herself to second then saw pop up fly to get the second out, but it wasn’t before a massive safehit from Kennett to right field scoring Jackway giving United six runs in the last inning putting them in the lead by four runs.

Wanderers went into the bottom of the seventh needing to score five runs to win but United stayed cool, calm and collected in the field, saw a fly ball back to Jones for the first out. Emily Little made Jones work in the box and picked a walk to get herself on base.

Concordes knew they needed to turn a double to win the game and that’s exactly what they did, winning 19-15.