Softball - Formby Finns in dramatic performance
Fins wade through rough waters in chase for title.
Dramatic performance sees Formby Fins beat Crosby Vikings 14-1
The Formby Fins kept the league title alive as they put in a strong all-round team performance to defeat the Crosby Vikings 14-13 in dramatic fashion.
An error in the Vikings outfield gave the Fins the winning run in a match that could have seen Crosby become league champions. However, an impressive display with the bat that included home-run leader Luis Arrevillagas collect a hat-trick of home-runs saw the Fins show the same form at the start of the season.
The opening inning began brightly as both teams looked confident with the bat as they each scored three runs. With the second inning showing both sides fielding abilities, it was inning number three that saw one side pull away to an early lead.
That team was Formby as they out-scored their opponents by two runs to take a 6-4 lead.
By far the most exciting inning of the contest was in the fourth. The Vikings responded well to going behind as back-to-back home-runs by Mike Lott and Charlotte Green gave Crosby a 9-6 lead. However, Formby managed to match their efforts with five runs of their own to maintain that two-run lead.
As the Fins extended their lead by a further one in the fifth inning, the Vikings were determined to keep this match alive.
They did that in the sixth inning to tie the contest at 12-12.
But one thing that was for sure was that Formby were going to make this as hard as possible for the league leaders to take victory.
Another run for the Fins gave them a one lead going into the final inning.
As the light was gradually fading, Crosby slugged it out by levelling the contest again.
With Formby just left to bat, they knew that one run would take the victory.
With a couple of base-hits early on, another hit with the bat was enough to bring in that all important one run.
That result puts the champagne on ice for the Vikings. However, one win from their remaining two matches will still be enough to become league champions for the first time.
Elsewhere, there was a significant result at the opposite end of the table.
It saw the St. Helen’s Sabres collect their fourth win of the season with an impressive 19-14 win over the Sefton Sharks.
Despite a strong performance in last weekends National Championships in Slough, the Sharks could not cope against as a talented Sabres side that showed their strength with the bat.
Sefton will be aiming for a strong finish if they want to avoid collecting the wooden spoon.
The Sharks will be looking to recover from that defeat next week as they take on the now rejuvenated Formby Fins.
The other contest sees the Vikings have another chance of securing the league title as they do battle with a Southport Seagulls side aiming for a strong finish to what has been an inconsistent season as league champions.
For anyone looking to give it a go or coming down to watch, come to the Northern Cricket Club in Crosby on Mondays at 7pm.
Also check out the league website www.seftonsoftball.com, like the Facebook page by typing in Sefton Softball and follow them on Twitter @SeftonSoftball.
Sefton Softball: Fins short-stop and home-run leader Luis Arrevillagas added three more HR's for the season
