Starting with a Grand Final win

What a great way for second Grade to finish the season. How sweet it was to get on top of the Panthers in the game that mattered after pretty well copping a pasting from them all season. My heart goes out to Jacko and his boys but you can't take anything away from the way that the whole Warriors team put it together on the day. To be able to come from 8 - 1 down to win 10 - 9 showed great determination. The whole team pulled together and when we were at the point of seven runs down there was no feelings in the dugout that the game was over. The positive attitude shown by everybody as we went out to bat in the top of the third came to fruition as we slowly clawed the runs back and then went one up, reversing the pressure and putting it all on the Panthers to come out in the last dig to have to score two runs to win, especially seeing that they were only into the second batter in their line up. How the Warriors kept the pressure on and didn't fold was a treat to watch. Kevin March, the President of the IBL, asked me to congratulate all of our team after the game. It was one of the finest examples of a game of baseball that he had seen for many years.
High praise indeed, and praise which the team had well and truly earned.
How can you pick the best from that team on the day? Everybody that went up to the plate scored at least one safe hit. How can you forget Andy's three great catches at centrefield (he batted 1000 on the day too; 2 doubles and two singles. WOW!!!!)? Adam's fantastic take at left field after missing nothing out there at training on Tuesday night?
What about the battery! Damo chucking to Pete. Pete calling Damo in and absolutely stunning the Panthers batters who are used to getting it all their own way. Didn't happen. Pete unintentionally donging the batter on the helmet while throwing to three. That was great. So what, it cost us two but on he upside it let the opposition know loud and clear that we meant business from early on. Get out of the way or get steamrolled. Then Damo kept tossing 'em in, under a lot of pressure and the smile never leaving his face as each new batter faced his pitching. Did he know something we didn't? Smiling assassin?
Matty and Adam swinging at the first pitch and both getting safe hits. Great stuff.
Not to mention the aggressive base running. For a team that hasn't had signals all year, suddenly the lights came on and everyone really put the pressure on the Panthers in the field. They felt it too. Not just one or two of them running hard, all of them with a hunger to get to the next base. Magic!
Amie safe as houses at first once again, Dave at rightfield getting the ball in quick, Dougo leading the batting and solid at shortstop. Damo following in the batting order with both really unlucky not to pierce the infield in the first dig.
And don't forget Tezza at third, glaring at em as they came up to bat, getting next to no work there so Amie didn't have to try to judge how much curve Terry put on the ball throwing to first and when it would start to swing.
You gotta mention Sue who came off injured early on after covering the ground like Phar Lap only to just have a catch tip the end of her glove. Shouldn't have gone up to bat but I think a team of wild horses at least would have been needed to stop her. Made contact too!
We can't forget the other Adam who had to start work in a new job on the day and couldn't take the field as well as birthday boy Martin who kept the bench warm and the positive attitude flowing.
What a team effort! What a team to be proud of! Don't think it gets much better than that!!!
Who can forget the feeling as Andy gloved that catch to finish off the game. What a moment.
Played hard, done well. The whole Warriors club is extremely proud of you all.