vs. TRAVEL "TIGERS" [28-3]

The last game of the season and our first year in Division one ends with an emphatic 4 victories in a row, a little more familiar to those of us that have batted the pitches of Regents park during previous seasons.

This weeks final write up before the quarter finals comes from Ringer #1, Ange.

ANOTHER beeeeeaaaautiful London summer day....and the two rather rain-drenched teams gingerly emerged (some slightly more eagerly than others, it must be said!) from beneath their sodden brollies to take the pitch in this long awaited and highly-anticipated encounter. The only comfort...the fact that the beers were actually cold! The foul weather-induced misery was quickly quashed, however, as the formidable Portland Pirates quickly notched up a convincing lead- a lead that led us down the garden path...be it a rather slippery and muddy one...to eventual... VICTORY!! Arr!!

vs. WCRS / Engine [16-7]

This weeks game report comes in the form of a few one liners from the many keyboards of players and 'supporters'. Another big thanks to everyone for showing up regardless of the weather for the first Engine Group derby.

"Best game of the season under the shittiest weather possible. We really fucked them up!"

"Very wet and an easy victory topped of with a great catch by Damian"

"Engine conks out in park?"

"Engine complain about wrong Fuel in Partners tank"

"High powered (Partners &) Fuel brings Engine to a halt"

"…Nothing would stop them; Hanisha, Lizzie and Mo’landa battled trench foot, the torrents of Great Portland Street, and the bitter, wet open plains of Regents Park to support their team – the cheer would go on!..."

"You could cut the tension with a rubber spoon as the teams shared laughs and ciders in the rain – but once the raincoats came off and the inappropriate-clothing-for-your-workmates-to-see-you-in came out – the competition heated up. The Engineers took the field with gusto, the pitcher even wore a glove! But they were no match for the Pirates. Bolstered by their obnoxiously drunk and loud cheer squad, the Pirates slid, caught and ran like they were born for it… victory was theirs…"

"Quite simply, we f***ed them up."

vs. THE ECONOMIST [17-16]

Thursday...Thursday. Now, what happened on Thursday?

Oh yes, we showed that appalling combination of layabout toffs, arrogant septics and ad sales wide boys who populate Economist towers just how to play the game of softball.

Although the winning margin was the narrowest possible, the gulf in class was clear for all to see. Particularly that mardy little madam on first base as she missed pretty much every catch - hah!

Played under ever-heavier skies, our batting was good - particularly Steffi, JB and Pau. Our fielding was better. Great collecting and covering in the outfield by Bethan and Damo, two awesome catches from Pau in the outfield and Becs at backstop, not forgetting the match-winning take on third base by JB's brother, AB.

Sundry highlights included JB's flying tag that sent one of their star batsman on a somersault (that carried a tariff of 3.7). Also, JB being knocked to the ground by a runner heading for home (after he'd already been called out on third - go figure).

Lowlights included my pitiful batting (sorry all, will improve, honest). Three innings in which we failed to score. And the fucking deluge that accompanied us all the way to the Volunteer.

In the final analysis, yes it did go to the last hit of the final innings. but we always knew we'd FUCK EM UP.

vs. THE ORPHANS [25-16]

VICTORY!

Over the past 5 weeks it’s fair to say that the Pirates have had an on-pitch fear factor rather more reminiscent of Tinkerbell than Long John Silver. However, watching our opposition successfully take each other out before the onset of the game (their backstop is now fine. Couple of stitches and some beer sorted her out) seemed to do wonders for our confidence.

Waldie’s history of kamikaze base-slides meant he was now chief score keeper – a task he undertook with such diligence that I have scanned in a copy of the score sheet for everyone’s perusal. Based on this (plus some slightly hazy, pimms obstructed memories) the highlights include:

1. THREE (yes, you read right) home runs by our second mighty Saffa Ange
2. Closely followed by 2 home runs from the Buckmeister
3. A first innings that produced a pant stretching 14 runs
4. The reappearance of Dom and Kia
5. Some pretty superlative out-fielding by the Pau / Dom combo
6. A slick third base / first base action with Martin / Dom combo

With our outfielders in such fine fettle, some fearless base-diving and batting and a stonking first innings, the Pirates broke a 345 day no-win stint (last time we gave a beasting was with our old friends the Economist. Spit) and smashed (literally) our opponents back to their Orphanage. Job done.

by Becs