Eagles face marauding Bears in POM softball

By EKONIA PENI
BROWN Eagles are in for a tough contest on Sunday when they meet Bears in the main match of Port Moresby men’s softball.
Given that situation, pitcher Andrew Akuk and catcher George Pukur have a mammoth task on their hands to contain Bears who are capable of winning with their powerful batting line up.
The Bears boast solid hitters in the likes of Malcolm Kolemus, Sammy Malum, Willie Petali, Nerius Kua and Henry Keleu who will lead the batting onslaught.
Akuk will need to read Pukur’s call signs well and make sure they restrict the Bears from scoring easy points.
In batting, Eagles have Pukur, Troy Taule, Peter Manu ToAlbert, Lawrence Bunbun, Pukalur Tubawai, David Maira and Martin ToAlbert  against the Bears pack, but will need to focus when facing Keleu’s pitching.
Keleu has added some quality to the Bears attack in pitching and commands some respect from that position.
The match is important for both teams for different reasons.
For the Bears, they must win to elevate themselves from sixth placing into the top four.
While for Eagles, a win will keep them  entrenched in the top four.
In the other matches, Dolphins are expected to win although they cannot underestimate Kopex.
PNG Power should have any easy match against Stingerz and United Brothers should be comfortable against a struggling Gazelle side.
Mantarays and Defence should play out a close contest.
Meanwhile, POM men’s softball president, Ralph Tarasomo has announced that this weekend will be the final round of matches to be played before the competition goes into recess for two weeks.
Tarasomo said the competition would resume on Sunday Jan 9.
He commended the teams for the high standard of competition so far which has seen Brown Eagles, Dolphins and Bears stake claims for the premiership however PNG Power, Brothers and Mantarays are not far off the pace and should return from the Christmas break revitalised.