Rovers roar in Hagen Softball

 By WENDY KATUSELE

THE Red Rovers landed their first ever premiership title beating defending champions New Guinea Islands 10-6 in Mt Hagen men’s softball grand final on Saturday.

The boys from Newtown put on an inspired performance to etch their names into Hagen softball lore with a courageous comeback in the fourth inning.

Led by captain Sammy Ezekiel, the Rovers’ batting stood the test and broke NGI for a well-earned win.

NGI shot out of the block scoring three euns at their first turn at bat with Charlie Kove, Junior Damien and Terence Tirupia all crossing home plate.

David Sioni and Tirupia continued the onslaught with two runs in the third and fourth inning to put their side in a commanding 5-0 lead. 

But that was all she wrote as the Rovers came surging back, firstly with some tight fielding and then Chris Kouse opened up with a two-base to rev up the Rovers.

Short stop Alphonse Niggins Jr cleared the boundary to cut the deficit to three at 2-5 at the bottom of the fourth inning.

With the momentum squarely on the Rovers side NGI had no answers to contain the Rovers dug-out.

Ezekiel led by example slamming the second home run for the day to bring himself, pinch runner Chris Eremas and Edniel Kouse home.

Chris Kewa and Kouse followed suit from yet another boundary hit by slugger Niggins.

Mack Kalabai and Clifford Kouse completed the inning with two solo home runs to take over the lead 10-5. 

NGI’s pitching was poor in the second half of the match but they managed a consolation run in the end.