The count down is on for supremacy in the men’s and women’s titles as the top four teams sharpen their saw to secure grand final berth in Madang softball competition.
In the women’s division, minor premier Bees Stingerz will try and settle their score against last year’s champions Kalibobo who beat them on a tie breaker.
The Stingerz will be relying very heavily on the form of their ever reliable pitcher and catcher combination in Judith Gabong and Selina Tukan.
The experience of Sue Tarasomo at first, should add strength to the young infielders of Barthsiba Markis at second, Gloria Parkop at third and Dong Kaukesa at short stop, who is standing for younger sister Carol Moeder who is away in Port Moresby.
The club have set a games record in winning all their seasonal games. If that is an indication, Kalibobo will be expected to come out firing to contain the Bees onslaught.
Nartalie Bart, who has led her team well this season, will be expected to dig deep to help her young guns when the going gets tough. She will be very well supported by “Mrs Reliable” Lina Vere at short stop, Marcia Tirimu at second, June Kakat at first, and the experienced Jenny Kakat and Everlyn Bart should help.
In the sudden death play off, Idmon will have to find the spirit to dispose 09ERS. Henry Takaili for Idmond will be putting together a game plan to unsettle the 09ERS, while Silas Zale Jnr will make his presence known on the side.
The battle will be on the pitching mound as the experienced Jacklyne Takaili will ensure that the job is done while the 09ERS up-coming Sussie Darius will have nothing to loose as she combines with Siloru Zale to try and contain the batting power of the Idmon side in Vanessa Molean, Rose Carseldine, Freda Takaili and the Moke sisters.
In the men’s game the tussle will be between Meli Taragau for 09ERS and Esau Vinarang of GDC Kabiu as both pitchers unveil their fire power to get their teams safely home.
For 09ERS, they will have to remain calm and bat strongly if they wish to secure a grand final berth early.
Taki Zale and Briton Zale will be counted on to lead the team with the support from the Taragau brothers Meli and Kennel.
For GDC Kabiu stand in player coach Warren Kakat will be expecting a huge commitment from his senior players Goodwill Baiai, Chris Karl, Adrian Chan, Axavier Knox, Joel Petau and Alphonse Atom, who has been missing for some time.
This game will be a cracker as most of the players in the two teams will be show casing their skills and talents to confirm their selections in the Madang Kings team.
In the sudden death final, Kalibobo Reds under the mentorship of Patric Diou, will work extra hard when they face the might of Malangan attack. He will expect miracles from the Diou brothers Cedrick and Raymond, Gerol and Mathew Pokanau, Alex Bunbun and their magic man Joe Snake Blacky to lift the team up to the next play off.
For Malangan their nonsense hurler Roland roundwind Kakat will definitely be up to the task in containing the young Kalibobo Reds who have demonstrated their existence in the competition is no fluke.
Malangan know what it takes to come up with the big play when it matters most.