Game 2 v NSW Country - Sunday 9/1/11

Under baking sun, the NSW supporters clustered under their 60+ sunblock and their shade structures - recently purchased on the cheap at Bunnings. Great solidarity today in pursuit of victory, and no one could imagine the complete domination which ensued after yesterday's steady but unspectacular start by us. NSW proved victorious over their country cousins, 24-1. Their one run was born out of another infield error where two dumbfounded pivots looked forlornly at each other...and then at the coach. Repetition of errors are close friends with the bench.



The starting side was Musulin (Catcher - 7), McCallum (1st base - 6), Tomiya (2nd base - 1), Lindsay (SS - 2), Myrmell (3rd base - 4), Barbaro (RF - 5), Perry (CF - 8), Gulieri (LF - 9). Dean Frew started as pitcher today (3).

We started with a bang getting on bases earlier with another good hit from Tomiya. He has set an outstanding tone two days in a row as lead off. Following on from this, the runs flowed steadily as the country cousins struggled. It was an outstanding display by Dean Frew at the mound, pitching four innings before Mackenzie Bohan pitched the last and had cursed luck with his infield. The opposition did not pressure us at all. The game was a mercy result at the end of five innings.

Daniel Myrmell put one out of the ground today, scoring two runners. Everyone hit. Dean Frew was hit by pitcher twice today - and twice yesterday. Unlucky. Musulin caught soundly and Sam Gulieri smashed one to the fence at right field to put the doubters to sleep. It was a cracking strike of the leather. Possibly the most impressive of the day. His mum thought so too! Mackenzie Bohan hit two from two surging up the leaderboard here.



For James it was a good day out. He had five at bats for five safe hits: including three singles and two triples - with the hint of a home run possible on the second of these. There is nothing like a sensible third base coach to kill the moment!

Nonetheless there will be sterner tests ahead for him - and the team.

In the end the game finished as a rabble, with catches not being taken from lazy, deep NSW Country outfielders, errors being made, overthrows past second and first base...the lot. Comical really. The drought for them was re-lived here. It was enough to get the NSW Country families out from under their trees and join the city folk under their two bob shelters. Different worlds.



The most interesting thing of the tournament to date - and with major implications for all teams are the fake fibreglass - synthetic grass covered - pitching mounds. The bounce effect of them means pitchers are required to wear rubber soled boots - not cleats on them. A joke really. Get the tournament to Corbin instantly! We are on AFL fields and rugby fields here.

Today brought renewed confidence across the team and consolidated their effort. It was slick and smart, positive and powerful. Brad Simon is fine to pitch soon. Queensland loom as the benchmark team.

Liam continues to offer James advice and offer his opinions on team selections. Soothsayer.