Third forfeit could cost strugglers

 THE struggling Kopex softball club may have to miss the rest of the season after a third forfeit of the season last Sunday.

Kopex were unable to field a team in the early game, allowing Bears to pick up two easy competition points.  

PNG Softball League secretary Albert Daniel could not be reached for comments but according to POMSL rules, teams that have three forfeits during the season automatically face expulsion for the remainder of the season.

With three more games before the finals, many teams are playing their hearts out to see who can win and cement their position on the ladder. 

The first game saw Bears winning the fixture on forfeit.

The young Brown Eagles outfit proved too strong for Stingers, winning 4-1. 

Pitcher Clement Okole and his back-stopper Graham Kinavai had much to do with the Eagles victory.

Both of them carried their form from the National Softball Championships in Kavieng, notching up good win despite going down to PNG Power last weekend 4-1.

PNG Power maintained their top spot with a good win over Defence 8-4. A home run hit by Saga Gime at the bottom of the fourth inning gave the Douglas Paak-coached team a ray of hope.

The two final matches saw humiliation as Brothers gave Wolves a 22-0 hiding, while Gazelle gunned down a depleted Mantarays 11-0.

Gazelle now moves into fourth spot, displacing the Green machine who slide down on fifth spot. The other positions on the ladder remain with PNG Power confirmed as the minor premier.

Despite the outcome of the remaining two games, the Isikel Tovia-coached team are the kings of softball in Port Moresby.

The competition ladder as of last weekend for A Grade: PNG Power 45, United Brothers 38, Brown Eagles 36, AB Bears 35, Gazelle 33, Defence 31, Wolves 28, Mantarays 22 and Kopex 14.