Chan, Bart get Brothers home in 6-5 nail-biter

 By HENRY MORABANG

UNITED Brothers secured the first grand final berth with a nail-biting 6-5 victory over minor premiers PNG Power in Port Moresby Men’s Softball League yesterday. 

The qualification final was a neck-to-neck affair from the start of the first inning to the bottom of the seventh inning.

The game was tied 5-5 at the bottom of the sixth inning.

PNG Power had the opportunity in the top of the last inning but tight pitching by Dick Bart Jnr send their batters Eddie Simba, Demas Tovia and Danny Manor were all sent back to their dug-outs.

Brothers last turn of the bat was the highlight of the afternoon. Adrian Chan was walked to the base while Silas Diruap was struck out by Power’s Danny Tovia. 

Brothers next batter Goodwill Baiyai was voluntiarily walked to to have Chan now advance to second base while Baia on first.

But the poor pitching to Xavier Knox saw Chan steal the third base but a overthrow by catcher David Manor saw Chan slide home for the winning run.   

In the elimination final, Brown Eagles sent Bears packing for the season 2-1 victory. The Eagles will now play PNG Power to see who will meet Brothers in the grand final.

In the B grade, Brown Eagles defeated Defence 19-5 to secure the first grand final berth while Stingers beat PNG Power 8-2. 

Stingers will now play Defence to determine who plays Brown Eagles in the B grade grand final.