Bros, Yokomo surge

 By HENRY MORABANG

UNITED Brothers have returned to the top of the points table in the Port Moresby men’s softball after they demolished Mantarays 9-0 yesterday.

Yokomo put a courageous come-from-behind show when down 9-2 at the Bisini softball ground to beat PNG Power 14-10 and lift themselves to equal second on the premiership ladder. 

Brothers showed the Manusians no mercy, completely shutting them out in a scoreless outing.

Dick Bart Junior at third base received good support from infielders Glen Niggints, Gerard Pokanau, Adrian Chan and Raymond Diou to prevent Manataray players from advancing to bases.

Mantarays led by Willie Kuwoh and his brother, Junior Kuwoh and their charges had no answer to Brothers’ batting power and placement.

In a match dubbed the game of the weekend Yokomo and PNG Power displayed their class in batting and fielding to keep the spectators entertained throughout.

Yokomo opened the score sheet with two runs from Taki Zale and Paul Bogan.

PNG Power hit back with an avalanche of points, piling on 9 runs through exertive  batting complemented by Yokomo’s infield errors at the bottom of the first inning.

David Upaupa’s home run at the top of the second inning put a spring in Yokomo’s attack as they pushed to 9-3.

Another home run hit by Colin Mangot then closed the gap to 9-6 after he ensured Taki Zale and Paul Bogan strolled home.

Yokomo collected five more runs through good batting and fielding from Dwayne Chan, Kelly Upaupa, Britton Zale, David Upaupa and Micah Zale to race to 11-9 and gain the upper hand. 

At the bottom of the second inning, Yokomo introduced Kelly Upaupa to the pitching mound replacing regular Nelson Kiap which paid handsomely for their team.

Upaupa put the screws on the runs allowing only a home run through Michael Parom for 10-11. 

At the top of the third inning, PNG Power searched for some solace and rushed in injured Danny Tovia but he was of little help as Yokomo scored three final runs through Kenneth Vue, Dwayne Chan and Britton Zale to take them home 14-10.

Results: Brown Eagles 1 Wolves 1 (w/out), Defence 4 Kopex 2, Bears 10 Gazelle 7, United Brothers 9, Mantarays 0, Brown Eagles 7 Wolves 0. 

The point ladders: United Brothers 24, Gazelle 23, Yokomo 23, Bears 21, Defence 20, Brown Eagles 15, PNG Power 13,  Wolves 12, Kopex 9, Stingerz 3, Mantarays 0.