Bismarck beat Admiralty Marlins to retain softball title

The National Sports

BISMARCK made it back-to-back titles after they beat Admiralty Marlins 6-4 in the Lae Softball Association A-grade grand final.
The final — played in front of vocal supporters — was on the fence, with Bismarck opting to bat first in the first inning.
The first inning was scoreless with both teams putting on strong play to deny each other from scoring runs.
It was the second top inning that set the momentum for the defending champions to score six home runs.
Marlins countered Bismarck’s momentum in the third inning, scoring three home runs and added a fourth in the fifth bottom inning.
Determined to stay in the contest, Marlins held off Bismarck from scoring more runs.
This saw the defending champions cling on to defend their runs and win the match by two points.
Bismarck’s Johnson Boas told The National that they were delighted to retain the title.
Boas said with a youthful side, they had expected a tough game.
“It was a really good game and Marlins came back but we hold them off and our win was due to good batting,” he said.
Marlins’ Paul Keleu said this was their 11th appearance in a grand final.
“Admiralty Marlins started the season really well, but lost focus towards the end of round one,” he said.
“Then we picked up again towards the end of round two, just in time to secure second spot on the ladder behind Bismarck.”
“It was a great fight back from the guys.
“But unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to beat the defending Champions.
“It was an up-and-down season for us, but the guys did well to make it to the grand final.
“We will learn from this and be better in the seasons to come.”
Innovative Industrial Services and Parts Supplies, through sales manager Felix Yamu, congratulated Marlins for making it into the grand final.
“With a new branch open in Port Moresby we have community obligation to support local sporting clubs and Marlins is one of such club that we have supported. The company is looking forward to supporting local sporting clubs in the years to come,” Yamu said