By EKONIA PENI
STINGERZ are setting their eyes on a grand final placing as they brace up for the major semi final of the Digicel Port Moresby softball tomorrow.
Standing in their way as a major hurdle are seasoned campaigners Airways Bears who boast experience and are favoured to win the contest.
Stingerz will need to focus in general play and maintain their batting form which has been their main strength in winning the minor premiers of the 2007-08 season.
If Stingerz lose then it would mean that they will have to fight a sudden death against the winner of Bee Hive Gazelle and Budget Real Estate Wantoks who will play off the first elimination final in the main match tomorrow.
Stingerz coach Nelson Simba will rely on pitcher Selina Karai to lead with guranteed batting support to be provided by veteran Dorcas Horis, Leno and Nicky Simba, Tesa Karai and Claire Wutt.
But the John Josephs coached Bears have a point to prove after losing last season’s grand final to Gazelle.
The Bears would like to win and wait for the grand final. And give the urge to win tomorrow could increase the Bear’s desire for a much improved performance to win.
Top batters Wendy Sogai, Wendy Katusele, Joyce Inguba and Tessie Komek must shine with the bat to back up international pitcher Margaret Josephs if Bears are to upset Stingerz.
In the elimination match Gazelle should be able to just edge out Wantoks given the depth in batting that the Antelopes have. Wantoks however can not be under estimated as they have been able to cause upsets this season.
In the men’s semi finals on Sunday, Airways Bears plays Market 200 Brown Eagles in the match of the weekend which will be the first elimination final. The winner continues to play next weekend while the loser will hang up the gloves.
Riding on a close win (5-4) over Bears last weekend, Brown Eagles would like to repeat the dosage in their effort to defend the premiership.
However Bears are expected to a determined team and will try to reverse last weekend’s result and eliminate Eagles from the finals.
While in the first major semi final for the men’s, †SPIA Manolos and LBC Gazelle are expected to produce an entertaining contest for a right to play minor premiers PNG Power next weekend for a grand final berth. The power men are on bye this weekend.
The likes of David Upaupa, Danny Mong, Guy Kila and Ora Gimi will be leading Manolos batters against Gazelle’s hurlers Nelson Kiap and Patrick Pilak.
However Gazelle’s Demas Totil Jr, Colin Mangot, David Micky,Tony Karani and Gabriel Pamel Jr have similar flare to return the favour and create an entertaining match for a close scoreline.