Saints survive against Cats in men’s softball

Sports

SAINTS survived a strong fight against the new kid on the block, Kikila Cats (KC) to win 4-1 in the main game of Port Moresby men’s A grade competition at Bisini Sport Precinct yesterday.
Short stop Jonty Malum was the toast of the side scoring two vital runs in the opening inning and the third to help his boys register the much-needed win in the competition before the Christmas break.
Jonty, along with Mark Upaupa, Willie Tave and Joe Kowih were on full alert as the boys of Matupit gave them a scare before going down.
Saints scored in the first inning through Malum who collected his second run of the afternoon in the third inning along with Mark Upaupa and Alphonse Pomahun to put them in a comfortable lead.
Kikila Cats had to make three changes in their pitching to try to cut down Saints. Rommie Kaputin started the match and was replaced by Steven Ereman while veteran Ismael Marnapal was introduced in the last inning but could not save the Matupit boys.
The Cats had the opportunity to register points while they had players on bases in the second inning and third inning when they had full bases but poor batting let them down.
Cats will be the team to watch as they have some of the best players in Penial Turpoi, Gabriel Maloney, Daniel Kepas, Herman Tingiran who will be supported by old hands Benji Paivu, Pidil Pakar, Marnapal and Danny Tovia in the remaining matches.
Yesterday’s other results: United Brothers beat Gazelle 6-2; Brown Eagles beat PNG Power 5-2; Yokomo 5 beat Bears 1 while Defence won on runner head rule thrashing newcomer Aviat Jets 11-0.