Baseball, Rugby League, Cricket and Masters Games

Newcastle Baseball League representative teams came second in all three divisions at the 2009 Country New South Wales Baseball Championships contested at Fred Finch Park, Berkeley near Wollongong over the recent Labour Day weekend, October 3 – 5.

Played in persistent showery conditions, organisers and ground staff were tested from the outset after storms made one of the six fields unplayable. Further rain caused a loss of play on Sunday morning and additional rescheduling due to a second field being unplayable.

At the completion of two days sufficient games had been played to determine playoff positions, Illawarra finishing at the top of all three divisions followed by Newcastle in each case.

In the Men's A division Illawarra took their third consecutive title when they were declared winners over Newcastle. The scheduled nine innings game was called off by the umpires when playing conditions became dangerous. Rain started falling in the second inning where the hosts held a 1-0 lead courtesy of Trent D'Antonio's solo home run in the first innings.

The game continued in the rain and Newcastle tied the score when a sacrifice fly by Moko Moanaroa scored his brother Boss in the top of the fourth. With Illawarra batting in the bottom of the inning the umpires conferred with head coaches and decided to stop play and give the ground staff an opportunity to improve the condition around the bases but further rain caused a further conference resulting in the game being called off.

Tournament organisers from CNSW decided to declare Illawarra the winners based on their unbeaten record including a win over Newcastle in the round robin series. The 6-0 win over Newcastle included a two run homer by Kaine Abbott.

In the Women's division the Illawarra team staged a big comeback in the seventh (final) innings where three runs scored gave the hosts a 5-4 win over Newcastle. The win gave Illawarra a third title after winning the inaugural event in 2004 and backing up the next year. Titleholders Central Coast failed to make the final following a disqualification for breach of tournament rules in their penultimate game.

Illawarra was outhit by Newcastle 11-8, Gabby Stapleton batting 2 from 3 for the victors and Eryn Shipp and Michelle Butler batting in two runs apiece including crucial runs in the final inning. Shipp (3.1 innings, 2 hits, 0 earned runs, 6 strikeouts) and Romi Fellows (3.2 innings, 9 hits, 4 earned runs) carried the pitching for Illawarra. Brittany Hepburn stood out for Newcastle pitching 2 innings for 2 earned runs and batting 3 / 4 with 2 RBI's.

The Men's B division saw Illawarra turn the tables on defending titleholders Newcastle with a resounding 17-2 win by the 10 run rule applied in the fifth innings and complete the tournament undefeated. Illawarra outhit Newcastle 13-4. Following the tournament the NSW Country selectors will be naming representative train on squads. These teams will represent CNSW at 2010 Australian Championships. (Frank Booth)

NSW Rugby League Academy 2010 players camp is to be held 18th - 21st January at Narrabeen.
Specialist coaching catering for all skill levels of players 12 to 16 years. Please note places are limited so get in early to avoid disappointment! To find out more and other news for Schoolboys Rugby League in Newcastle go to:

 

 

 Cricket Australia would like to have every junior club cricket coach/manager achieve the minimum Introduction to Cricket accreditation level.

 Any unaccredited coach/manager or volunteer is encouraged to at least complete the on-line course. For details go to: www.cricket.com.au/introductiontocricket

 

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Updated 07-10-2009