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Manchester A's 2005 - Part 2 (Part 1)

Game 8 (5/6) - by Ian J. Marginson

Sheffield Bladerunners     14      @      Manchester A’s               11

Line-Ups:

Sheffield Bladerunners		Manchester A’s
Taylor	CF	Ronan Dunne	SS
Wills	SS	Dave Gould	P
T Booth	3B	Paul Fagan	3B
B Christensen	3B	Martyn Gough	2B
J Stearns	2B	Jim Gunn	1B
I Christensen	C	Ian Marginson	LF
Green	1B	Tony Wolstenholme	C
Thorpe	LF	Dave Mc Neilage	RF
Wood	RF	Chris Jackson	CF
Bench		Bench
		Dave Gaskell	IF/P
		Rob Dipper	OF
		Eduardo Wulff	OF
		Sean Mc Neilage	IF
		Gareth Aubrey	AWOL

With the A’s back near to full strength, expectations were high going into this weekends single game against the National Division One Champions Sheffield.

In a classic game of two halves, the first few innings went by with very little score. The Bladerunners, playing with a bare minimum nine players.

Leadoff hitter CF Taylor could only manage an easy grounder to SS Dave Gould to register the 1^st out. SS Wills was fanned by A’s Starting Pitcher Martyn Gough, whilst the 1^st hit of the day went to Bladerunners Pitcher Tommy Booth, batting in the 3 spot, dropping one just short of centre field. Moving round to 3^rd by virtue of a steal, Booth was to be left stranded on base as cleanup hitter Bob Christensen flied out to LF Ronan Dunne.  0 - 0

Dunne led off the A’s efforts with a 1-3 grounder, and Dave Gould faired no better, striking out, and not managing to make it to 1^st on the dropped 3^rd strike. After 3 hitter Paul Fagan took his Base on Balls, and stole 2^nd. Gough, batting in his 3^rd position in the order in as many games, made it to 1^st with an infield hit, sending Fagan to 3^rd. Fagan finally came home unassisted, to score the first run of the day, before Jim Gunn made the final out grounding to SS Wills.  0 - 1

The top of the 2^nd started in unusual fashion. Leadoff J Stearns reaching 1^st on the easiest pop fly you are likely to see. Unfortunately 2^nd baseman Ian Marginson did his best impression of a colander and managed to let it slip through onto the floor! Stearns quickly stole 2^nd, and was moved to third when the A’s committed another error in the infield. A rolling grounder to 3^rd base Fagan by I Christensen went straight under his glove. Gould running to cover the base at 3^rd, was surprised by the misfield and managed to commit the same mistake, meaning that the runners were now at the corners with no outs. Both runners however, managed to score, even though the next 3 batters all struck out. Stearns came home after Green’s 3^rd strike was dropped, having to be thrown out at first, moving Christensen over to third. A wild pitch scored the runner from 3^rd, with the bottom of the order, Thorpe and Wood sat down by strikeouts finishing one of the most bizarre inning of baseball I have been involved in!  2 - 1

Manchester failed to strike back in the bottom of the inning. Marginson flew out to SS Wills deep in the hole, followed by RF Tony Wolstenholme and Catcher Dave McNeilage both striking out to end the inning.  2 - 1

After Gough walked Taylor to start the top of the 3^rd, the Pitcher took control once more inducing 3 more outs, utilising his fielders to their best value. Firstly Wills flew out on the first pitch to another tidy catch in the outfield by LF Dunne. Two identical plays followed. Both Booth and B Christensen hit into 6 - 3 grounders to Gould, to conclude the inning scoreless.  2 - 1

The bottom of the inning saw Skipper Chris Jackson reach 1^st on the infield error, and easily made his way around to 3^rd with a little help from sloppy Sheffield defence. Dunne struck out, before Gould was issued a walk. Runners at the corners. Fagan then hit a deep SacFly to Right field, scoring Jackson, and moving Gould to 3^rd, where he was destined to finish the inning, as Gough popped up to Bladerunners 2^nd baseman Stearns, who had no problem finishing the inning with an easy catch.  2 - 2

Gough by now had found his groove, and was not letting Sheffield get a hold in the game. A 3 up, 3 down inning brought up the A’s batters once more. Gunn was put out unassisted at first in a moment of  comedy. (Lets just say Jim wont be making any dodge ball teams any time soon!!) Marginson followed up by lining the ball past  Stearns to reach on the base on the (HARSH) error. He then moved round to 2^nd by Wolstenholme’s well struck single to Centre. McNeilage was sat down with a K for the 2^nd time in 2, bringing up Jackson, who duly scored Marginson for the go ahead run. Dunne’s 2^nd K of the day ended the inning, stranding Jackson. 2 - 3

Gough again stopped the bottom of the order reaching base. Taking down Thorpe with a well fielded fly out to SS Gould, and striking out 9 hitter Wood. Taylor reached with a well struck single to centre, stealing his way round to 3^rd. With Wills in the batters box, Catcher McNeilage saw Taylor advancing down the line to home plate, and in an attempt to pick him off, airmailed the ball into left field, allowing the runner home to even the score. A second K of the day for Wills ending the top of the 5th with the scores once again tied.  3 - 3

Dave Gould replied for the A’s by reaching on error and, with Fagan at the plate moved over to 2^nd on a Wild Pitch. Fagan worked the count to receive a walk to 1^st, and was moved over to 2^nd by Gough, on the Fielders Choice. With Gould being put out by an athletic play by Sheffield 3^rd baseman B Christensen. A play on which Christensen aggravated an old injury, resulting in being forced to move across the diamond (very slowly) to play 1^st base. Gunn then hit into the 2^nd FC of the inning, forcing out Gough at 2^nd, although Fagan scored on the play, to leave just Gunn on the base pads. A single from Marginson moved Gunn, who had made his own way across one bag, up to 3^rd base.  When Wolstenholme being Hit By Pitch then caused all sorts of problems. Gunn had already started down the line, when Wolstenholme was hit. On being struck, the umpire called time, and Marginson and Wolstenholme took their bases. The ball was thrown back into play, and Gunn was tagged out walking back to his base. It was not until the A’s had left the field, that they realised that the ball had been called dead, and therefore nobody could be called out. After a brief discussion with the ump, skipper Jackson graciously accepted defeat on the matter and the dejected A’s returned to the diamond to field their positions. A bases loaded opportunity wasted!  3 - 4

4 singles by the Sheffield line-up scored 2 more runs for the visitors in the top of the 6^th, to take the score to 5 - 4, with Stearns and I Christensen picking up RBI’s.

The A’s were up to the task again in the bottom of the inning. Jackson and Eduardo Wulff, in to pinch hit for Dunne, crossed the plate, after some sloppy fielding by the Bladerunners infield, coupled with savvy base running. Gould reached base courtesy of a walk, stole his way to second, and came home after Fagan stretched a well hit stand up double into a hustling triple. Never once appearing to think about stopping half way around. Not to be one to try and hog all the attention, Fagan was then tagged out on the 6-5 double play to end the inning, after Gough was caught on the flyball by the Bladerunners SS Wills.   5 - 7

Sheffield’s Leadoff man Taylor was the only runner to score in the whole of the 7^th inning, coming home on a Wild Pitch by Gough. The A’s Leadoff Gunn, however, was not so ably supported by his team-mates. After Gunn singled to CF, Marginson flew out to 1^st base. Gunn, not hearing the tag call from his base-coach , set off for 2^nd, only to be doubled off at 1^st. Wolstenholme singled his 2^nd hit of the day, but was not given a chance to move on as Catcher McNeilage flew out to CF on his very 1^st pitch.   6 - 7

With the A’s pitching depth eroded due to a variety of reasons, skipper Jackson’s ability to replace Gough on the mound when he found himself in difficulties early in the 8^th was virtually nil. Regular closer Fagan suffering from a girly, sorry painful heel injury, meaning that Jackson had to persevere with the overworked Gough. 3 runs scored before the inning ended with Gunn putting out opposing Pitcher unassisted at 1^st.   9 - 7

The bottom of the 8^th saw a fantastic rally by the A’s batters. Jackson played a captains inning, leading off with a single to CF. Jackson then moved over to 2^nd on Wulff’s groundout, and Gould joined him on the bases with an infield hit, as the fielder held Jackson at 2nd. Fagan reached by virtue of an infield error going for the fielders choice, which in turn moved the runners on, loading up the bases for big hitting Gough, who could only manage to fly out to shallow LF. A 5 pitch walk for Gunn scored a run, and brought up 2B Marginson, who had been dropped down in the order in an attempt to wake up his bat. Gould quickly came over the plate on a passed ball, Fagan and Gunn following him round, one base behind. Whilst dropping Marginson down the order clearly worked, as he ripped a full count pitch past the LF to score both the tying, and the go ahead runs with a stand up double, before ‘Winner’ Wolstenholme struck-out, ending the inning with the score in favour of the A’s  9 - 11.

With the A’s now in buoyant mood, the game was theirs for the taking. Yet that lack of pitching depth was now to come back and haunt them. Gough hit the 1^st batter with his 1^st pitch of the inning, walking the next 3 men faced, at the same time throwing only 2 strikes. A fantastic pitching performance had come to an end. By the time Manchester took a chance with the already injured Fagan, Gough was leaving the mound with the prospect of another loss on his stats, despite doing a sterling job for 8 innings. Fagan mopped up the inning, but not before a total of 5 runs had scored in the inning, leaving the A’s with a small mountain to climb.  14 - 11

A’s 1^st batter McNeilage registered his 4^th K of the day, whilst Jackson fared better, reaching base on 4 straight balls. Jackson stole 2 more bases to make it 3 for the day, whilst Wulff ended his day with his 1^st K. Now with the final out of the game at stake, up stepped Gould to take a full count walk, followed by stealing his way to second to mirror Jackson with 3 steals on the day. Runners on 2^nd and 3^rd, and Fagan could only manage a grounder to 2^nd baseman J Stearns, who quickly despatched the ball to 1^st for the final out, and to quash all hopes of a monumental A’s victory.   14 - 11

Many thanks to both teams who played a great game in front of a massive crowd (5), in fantastic spirit. Sheffield showed why they are the current champions, being able to win in tight situations. At the same time the A’s showed that they can on their day be a force to be reckoned with, and throughout the game had the Bladerunners worried. That’s all for this week folks. Hopefully next weeks game report will be in on time!!!!!!!!! (Don’t count on it!)

Game 9 & 10ish (19/6) - by Ian J. Marginson

Manchester A’s      9        @      19      Bolton Brewers

Game 1

Line-Ups:

Manchester A’s		Bolton Brewers
Dave Gould	SS	P Mortimer	2B
Chris Jackson	CF	M Norburn	1B
Paul Fagan	3B	B Joyce	C
Ian Marginson	2B	J Sherlock	P
Jim Gunn	1B	P Wilson	CF
Ian Marchment	RF	T Berry	SS
Dave McNeilage	C	C Openshaw	LF
Ed Wulff	LF	J Blood	RF
Dave Gaskell	P	M Young-McClaren	3B
Bench		Bench
Rob Dipper	OF	M Bell
Sean McNeilage	IF	C Hay
Stuart Winter	OF	C Cullinan
Adam Pickles	OF/IF	A Davidson
Gareth Aubrey	OF	K Graham

The Manchester A’s second match up of the season with the Bolton Brewers on an extremely warm day, turned out to be something of a damp squib on Sunday.

Game 1 started well for the A’s. Leadoff man Dave Gould struck out but still reached base on the dropped third strike. Up stepped Skipper Chris Jackson, batting at number two in a shuffled line-up, and took his base thanks to a four pitch walk. Gould meanwhile had already stolen his way around the bases to 3^rd, leaving the way open for Jackson to steal his way to 2^nd on the first pitch Paul Fagan faced. Fagan then hit his fourth pitch to RF scoring both base runners. Fagan however forgot to put on the hand brake at first and was thrown out 9-3 heading back to the bag, after turning the corner towards 2^nd.  With the bases now clear, cleanup hitter Ian Marginson was walked on base, closely followed by five hitter Jim Gunn. A product of a tiny strike zone used by Umpire Wallwein. Two fielding errors saw Marginson go over to 3^rd, whilst Gunn added to his base stealing tally by pilfering 2^nd. Both runners were left stranded though, as Ian Marchment, rehabbing in RF due to a broken toe, and catcher Dave McNeilage struck out to end the inning.    2 - 0

A 4-3 grounder saw off 2B Mortimer at the top of the Brewers half of the inning. A’s Pitcher Dave Gaskell could not after that find the Umpire’s strike zone. Forcing him to leave pitches hanging in the centre of the plate, resulting in all nine runners scoring with two outs already on the board. A second 6-4 force play on the bases of the inning ended the Brewers run feast.    2 - 9

Left Fielder Eduardo Wulff started the second inning with a strikeout, whilst Gaskell’s woes continued with a well fielded flyball to the Brewers 2B Mortimer, playing well deep in the infield boundary. Gould reached base for his second time in two plate appearances, this time with a five pitch walk. By the time Jackson had struck out to end the inning, Gould had made his way to 3^rd base, with his third and fourth steals of the game.    2 - 9

With A’s starter Gaskell being replaced on the mound at the start of the second by ‘Knuckles’ Jackson, Wulff made the move to CF, and Adam Pickles came off the bench to move into LF.

Bolton carried their strong hitting over to the second inning. Thirteen batters came to the plate. Nine of which scored on three singles, a double and a triple, teamed with six walks as Jackson was forced to throw right down the middle of the plate to hit the miniscule strike zone. The A’s fielding was on top form though. A routine fly to 2^nd, and a 6 - 3 grounder, were topped off when after another pitching change saw SS Gould taking the mound for the first time, in his very long MBC history. RF Marchment moved to SS, P Jackson trekking back into the outfield. Catcher Dave McNeilage throwing out C. Openshaw at 3^rd on the attempted steal to end the inning, and register Dave Gould’s first victim in a Manchester uniform.    2 - 18

The top of the third started as we had at the top of the first. Only this time it was Paul Fagan, not Gould who reached 1^st base on the dropped Third strike. A deep fly to CF saw Ian Marginson sitting down for the first out. Before a passed ball, whilst Gunn was at the plate, saw Fagan move into scoring position on 2^nd. A second walk of the game moved Gunn onto the base pads, but not before Fagan had robbed 3^rd. Runners on the corners did not last long as Gunn stole 2^nd on the First pitch, and Fagan quickly managed to steal his way home on Joyce’s dropped pitch. Then another passed ball allowed Gunn to take 3^rd and Ian Marchment took his base with a base on balls, then stole 2^nd. McNeilage ripped a flyball along the third base line to be caught out in foul territory by LF for the second out, bringing up Wulff for his second plate appearance. With the count 2.2 Marchment was caught napping on 2^nd base, and with a man on 3^rd, and 2^nd baseman Mortimer blocking his way back to 2^nd, was forced into a run-down. Gunn seeing this, broke for home, only for Marchment to give up the ghost before Gunn could cross the plate, to finish the inning in disappointing style.    3 - 18

Rookie Pitcher Dave Gould clearly felt he could not trust the rest of the team, as he and 1^st baseman Jim Gunn combined three times on the 1-3 grounder to record three outs in the bottom of the third inning. The first being ripped straight back to him by Brewers 3B Young-McLaren, forcing him to make the kick save to stop it before recovering it and throwing to 1^st for the out. The following two outs were both cleverly jammed on the inside pitch by Gould, consequently both Mortimer and Norburn dribbling the ball into play for the easy groundouts. A frugal seven pitch inning.   3 - 18

The fourth inning saw the A’s recover some momentum, as it was Brewers Pitcher Sherlock’s turn to struggle with the small strike zone. Ed Wulff, returning to the plate, took a leadoff walk and stole to 2^nd on the first pitch to new batter Adam ’The Noise’ Pickles faced. Pickles then reached base on the error by the Brewers 2B Mortimer. Mortimer, on fumbling the ball on pick up then tried to hard to compensate in his throw to 1^st. Airmailing the ball out of play, to move Pickles to 2^nd, and score Wulff on the play. Pickles in turn came home, this time on Gould’s double to RF. Jackson took another walk, before Fagan’s second pitch double to right. Jackson, unsure of the ball’s trajectory waited on the tag before moving to 3^rd, whilst Gould came home from 2nd. Marginson took his second, and the teams ninth walk of the game to load up the base, before Gunn took his third walk in three plate appearances to force in the lead runner, Jackson, and claim an RBI. Poor Jim didn’t get to swing the bat all game long! With Marchment now at bat, Fagan decided he had had enough of waiting, and promptly stole home for the second time in the game to score the fifth run of the inning. After a Marchment lesson in how not to bat ended in a very ugly three pitch strikeout, D McNeilage singled the ball to RF to bring home Marginson, who had picked up two stolen bases on his way to 3^rd, and move Gunn to 3^rd base, after he had stolen 2^nd. This was where the inning stalled, however. As first Wulff dubiously struck out with the umpires new steadily widening strike zone, followed by Adam Pickles grounding to 2^nd, where Mortimer made up for his earlier mistake by making a flawless play  to 1^st, to close out the inning with the scores at  9 - 18.

The bottom of the fourth saw the Brewers score the go ahead run they needed to possibly force a ten run slaughter rule win. Leadoff man Barry Joyce represented that run, as he led off the inning with a walk, then stole his way to 2^nd. Sherlock could only manage a fly to CF, where Jackson managed to hold Joyce at 2^nd with a quick throw back to the infield. Wilson reached with an infield hit to A’s defensive replacement, SS Sean McNeilage, a throw which seemed to make it in time by at least a step and a half. A play which had even the Bolton bench talking. This moved Joyce to 3^rd, where he came in to score from. As next man up, Berry also reached with an infield hit, this time to the opposite side of the infield. Openshaw then chopped the ball into play for the second out. Catcher D McNeilage picking up and making the throw to 1^st. Blood finished the inning by hitting fly to LF Pickles.    9 - 19

Now all the A’s had to do was score 1 run to make the game last another inning. A task that was seemingly easy, as it was something that the A’s had had no trouble with all game.

Three strikeouts in succession ended the game for the A’s. Pitcher Sherlock seemingly only having to throw the ball within the reach of the Catcher to be called a strike, as the umpires small strike zone disappeared to be replaced by the new comedy strike zone the size of Joddrell Bank telescope!    9 - 19 

This is not, I’m sure the way that the previously winless Bolton wanted to end this game, as they outplayed the A’s over the length of the game, and deserved to win. However, I am sure questions will be asked as to the future of independent umpires in this league, as this game, ended in farce.

Well done to Bolton who played well, and Pitcher J Sherlock who pitched a good game, to register their first win of the season.

Manchester A’s      1        @      0    Bolton Brewers         Abandoned (Rain)

Game 2

Line-Ups:

Manchester A’s		Bolton Brewers
Dave Gaskell	3B	P Mortimer	SS
Dave Gould	SS	M Norburn	2B
Paul Fagan	P	B Joyce	P
Ian Marginson	2B	M Bell	LF
Jim Gunn	1B	P Wilson	CF
Ian Marchment	RF	T Berry	C
Dave McNeilage	C	C Openshaw	1B
Adam Pickles	LF	C Hay	RF
Chris Jackson	CF	M Young-McClaren	3B
Bench		Bench
Rob Dipper	OF	S Wallwein
Sean McNeilage	IF	J Sherlock
Stuart Winter	OF	C Cullinan
Ed Wulff	OF	A Davidson
Gareth Aubrey	OF	K Graham

Game 2 started off in cooler conditions, as a wind was starting to whip up at the Field Of Dreams.

Game 1 Starter for the A’s Dave Gaskell flip flopped positions with game 2 Starter Paul Fagan, moving to 3^rd base.

Gaskell also moved to the top of the order, and led off the game with a single to CF. Next up Dave Gould, retuned to his usual SS position, hit a grounder to SS and Gaskell was forced out at 2^nd base. Gould then stole 2^nd on Paul Fagan’s 1^st pitch, then Fagan ran out an infield hit to SS, moving Gould to 3^rd base. Cleanup hitter Ian Marginson swung at the first pitch down the middle, only to catch rookie Catcher Berry’s glove, reaching 1^st on a Catchers Interference call, and loading up the bases, for Jim Gunn. Jim Duly obliged by hitting the ball the other way to find a gap in RF, to bring home Gould. Bases loaded once more, this time for Ian Marchment, who managed to surpass himself, with a strikeout uglier than the one in Game 1. Dave McNeilage struck out on 3 pitches to end the A’s inning leaving the bases loaded. To date today the A’s had left a total of 10 base runners stranded, 8 in scoring position!

The bottom of the inning started in contrast to Game 1, very well. Paul Fagan catching the tall pop fly for the first out., then fanning Bolton skipper Matt Norburn for the second. The inning looked to be coming to a quick ending as 3 hitter Barry Joyce hit a high flyball to CF Chris Jackson, only for the wind to play tricks on the A’s skipper, and force his first catching error in 2 seasons. Joyce made the most of the error holding at 1st. Up stepped M Bell for his first at bat Swinging at the first pitch, and grubbing the ball into the ground, Catcher Dave McNeilage picked up the ball, and in his eagerness to make the out, threw the ball too low for 1^st baseman Gunn. Bell reaching on the error, and Joyce moving to 2^nd. All to no avail though, as CF Wilson hit an easy grounder to 2B Ian Marginson who, with the rain starting to come down, picked up and threw with time to spare to Gunn standing on 1^st for the inning ending out.

In the couple of minutes that it takes to turn an inning around the rain started to come down heavier, and with the prospect of a very black sky in the distance, umpire Blood called “Rain delay fifteen minutes”. Ten minutes later with players hiding in the changing rooms and cars from the rain and lightening, the decision to call the game was made, with the decision to take the game from next weeks fixtures added to this one and play the as a double header later in the season.

Game 10 & 11 (03/7) - by Ian J. Marginson

Manchester A’s               11      @      Sheffield Bladerunners     14

Line-Ups:

Game 1                                             Game 2

Manchester A’s		Manchester A’s
Dave Gould	SS	Dave Gould	SS
Martyn Gough	P	Paul Fagan	3B
Paul Fagan	3B	Liam Dickinson	P
Ian Marginson	2B	Ian Marginson	1B
Jim Gunn	1B	Jim Gunn	C
Tony Wolstenholme	RF	Tony Wolstenholme	RF
Ian Marchment	C	Chris Jackson	CF
Adam Pickles	LF	Eduardo Wulff	LF
Chris Jackson	CF	Dave Gaskell	2B
Bench		Bench
Stuart Winter	OF	Martyn Gough	IF/P
Dave Gaskell	P/IF	Stuart Winter	OF
Eduardo Wulff	OF	Ian Marchment	Utility
Liam Dickinson	P/Utility	Adam Pickles	OF

Game 1

This weekend did not start off as planned, with the A’s arriving at the Phoenix club in Sheffield minus the kit bag. Sheffield managed to lend the A’s Catchers gear, whilst the team managed to rummage through there collective bags to find enough balls to warm up with. No score book means that this weeks report will be much shorter than usual (cue cheering around the world).

Game 1 started with Dave Gould hitting into a 4-3 ground-out. Martyn Gough carried on his strong hitting by stroking a double, with the count at 2.2, but was left stranded on 2^nd as both Paul Fagan, and cleanup hitter Ian Marginson both flew out. Game 1 saw the A’s regular ace Martyn Gough on the mound, Sheffield scoring 2 in reply to end the inning 0 - 2

In the second inning the A’s took only nine pitches to return themselves to the field with no runs added, with a 123 inning. In reply Sheffield were also blanked by Pitcher Gough, ably helped by that old favourite, the Hidden Ball trick by Ian Marginson at 2^nd base.  0 - 2

With Adam Pickles and Chris Jackson already sat down, the A’s took advantage of some shaky pitching by the Bladerunners Jimmy Ellis. Gould drew the walk and then stole two bases on his way to 3^rd. Gough close on his heels with a walk and a steal, only for Fagan to strand them both for the third out of the inning. Sheffield Replied with another 2 runs to make it 0 - 4

The fourth inning saw good hustle by the A’s. Marginson leading off forcing the error at SS to reach 1^st base. A single from Jim Gunn moved Marginson to 2^nd, both runners moving up a base on the passed ball by Sheffield Catcher Tommy Booth with Tony Wolstenholme at the plate. Wolstenholme then flew out to ‘Bob’ Christensen  in CF. Neither runner taking the risk of tagging and advancing, due to three runners being tagged at home on Christensen throws in last seasons encounter at Sheffield. Current leader in the batting stakes for the A’s Tony Wolstenholme could not advance his stats flying out, nor could Ian Marchment with his second fly out of the game. Adam Pickles being the last out of the inning, hitting into a 5-3 grounder to strand the fourth and fifth runners in scoring position for the A’s. Sheffield added one more to make it  0 - 5

Inning number five proved to be the turning point for the A’s, finally showing what they are capable of. Number nine hitter Chris Jackson started it off with a full count single, Gould copying the skipper with a full count single of his own, moving Jackson to 3^rd. Gough then took Pitcher Ellis to his third full count in as many batters, forcing the walk to load up the bases. Fagan then singled to bring home the lead runner, before Marginson hit into the Sacrifice to score another run. Gough being put out on his way to 3^rd, Marginson safe at 1^st. Fagan and Marginson moved up on the passed ball with Gunn at the plate. Gunn receiving the base, after being Hit By Pitch to load them up once more, with only one out.  Wolstenholme joined in the fun with his first single of the game to score another. With Marginson at 3^rd, Gunn at 2^nd and Wolstenholme at 1^st, another passed ball saw all runners moving up one base for the 4^th run of the inning. The hits, sorry bloop’s kept coming, as Marchment dropped a single over the 1^st baseman’s head, scoring Gunn, before Pickles brought home Wolstenholme with the sixth single of the inning. Chris Jackson stepped up to the plate for the second time this inning, hitting the ball sharply to CF Christensen. The ball dropping uncharacteristically from the outfielders glove. Even the Sheffield players could not believe it, appealing that the runners had not tagged, only to be told of their team-mate’s error. Marchment scoring, and Jackson reaching safely. Gould’s second appearance of the inning was fruitless, striking out looking on a full count for the second out. Gough became the second A to reach base twice in the inning, reaching after being the second batter of the inning to be Hit By Pitch. Jackson came home for the seventh score of the inning before Fagan rounded out the inning with a 6 - 3 grounder. All nine of the A’s Hitters managed to reach base during the inning, with only two of those failing to score. Pitcher Ellis having to throw 46 pitches as the A’s took the lead  7 - 5, and also managed to close out the Bladerunners to end the inning in front 7 - 5.

Marginson was the only runner to reach for the visitors in the sixth inning. Forcing the infield into the error with his blazing speed. Jim Gunn moved Marginson to 2^nd with a Sacrifice Hit, but he was left stranded as both Wolstenholme and Marchment flew out before he had a chance to move further. Four more runs scored for Sheffield to take the lead once more  7 - 9

Benchwarmer Liam Dickinson, having been promoted up to the A’s from The Eagles for a weekend, came in to pinch hit for Pickles, and only managed to send a towering popup back to the Pitcher for the first out after a long at bat. Jackson reached base for the third time in four attempts. This time with a free walk, quickly stealing 2^nd. Gould became the third A to reach today after being Hit By Pitch. Whilst Gough moved both round to load up the bases with a sharp hit single, Jackson deciding to hold at 3^rd. Fagan rapped the second pitch back to the Pitcher, who picked up easily, although Jackson did a good job of confusing him long enough by running back to 3rd base to prevent the double play. Ellis only managing to eventually get Jackson at Home plate. Fagan legging it out to reach safely at 1^st base. With the bases loaded in a two run ball game. The guy you would want up is your cleanup hitter, so up stepped Marginson. Marginson took ball one, watched ball two go by, just before Gould went steaming by on his way home, only to be tagged out in front of Home to finish the game without Sheffield having to bat again.

Final Score  7 - 9

Manchester A’s                13      @      Sheffield Bladerunners     23

Game 2

Game 2 started with a short first inning for the A’s. Leadoff man Dave Gould hit a come-backer straight to Sheffield game 2 starter Tommy Booth, who walked his way over to Gould to make the tag. Two hitter Paul Fagan reached 1^st base thanks to a walk, and duly stole round to 2^nd. His luck was not to continue, however, as he was caught just short of reaching 3^rd on his next steal attempt, with Liam Dickinson watching at the plate. Dickinson closed out the inning by giving Booth his first strike out of the game.

In the second, both 1B Ian Marginson, and Catcher Jim Gunn took the free walks offered to them. Marginson moving to 3^rd on an infield error. Tony Wolstenholme back in the country for a short stop over, popped up for the first out. Gunn moved to 2^nd, and Marginson crossed home plate on the passed ball before seven and eight hitters Jackson and Eduardo Wulff struck out ending the inning prematurely with just one run scoring.

2B Dave Gaskell started off a mini-rally in the third inning, reaching base thanks to an error by  Sheffield 2B J Stearns. Gould joined Gaskell an the base pads courtesy of a free walk after Gaskell had moved over to 2^nd on a passed ball. Stearns then repaired the damage his error had done, by  fielding Fagan’s grounder and tagging the passing Gould, before throwing Fagan out at first for the double play. Dickinson then had his first hit of the day, bringing home Gaskell for the score, and Marginson followed up with his first clean hit of the day, to move Dickinson to 3^rd. Gunn made it three hits in a row to score Dickinson, and move Marginson to 3^rd, before Wolstenholme struck out to leave two runners stranded on base.

With the A’s already struggling to keep up with the free hitting Bladerunners, Jackson was hit by the first pitch he faced, and stole 2^nd base on Wulff’s first pitch. Wulff then sacrificed himself to move Jackson to 3^rd, Gaskell bringing him home with a single. Gould legged out a double, moving Gaskell to 3^rd. Although Fagan failed once again, grounding out into a 1-3 infield play. Liam Dickinson made his way to 1^st after the Catcher dropped his third strike, Gaskell coming home to score on the play, Gould moving to 3rd. Marginson then walked again, to make runners at the corners. Jim Gunn then ripped a shot straight to Stearns at 2^nd, who tagged Marginson as he attempted to pass on his way to 2^nd on the fielders choice.

Wolstenholme started inning number five by leaning into his first pitch to reach 1^st with a sore back. Chris Jackson lined a single to left centre, to move Wolstenholme to 2^nd, both runners moving up a base on another passed ball. Wulff’s second Sac Hit of the day scored Wolstenholme, although Martyn Gough, in to pinch hit for Gaskell could only manage a pop fly to SS for the second out. Jackson scored after the catchers error before Gould closed the inning by flying out to LF.

Manchester staged their best effort at closing the gap in the sixth inning, with all nine A‘s batters coming to the plate. Paul Fagan reaching 1^st base on the RF error, and on Liam Dickinson’s first pitch double coming round to score. Marginson made his first out of the game followed by Jim Gunn’s single scoring Fagan. Rookie Stuart Winter made his first appearance of the day, in to pinch hit for Tony Wolstenholme, who had to go home and pack to go back off on another holiday, only to strike out on a full count for the 2^nd out of the inning. Two more walks, for Jackson, and Wulff loaded up the bases for Martyn Gough. Martyn then did what is believed to be a Manchester A’s first. Pitcher Tommy Booth left his Curve up in the zone and Martyn responded by parking it over the LF fence for a grand slam, and also bring the two teams within just a couple of runs. Gould making the last out to close the inning. Sheffield however, had a different view, scoring enough runs to take them ten runs ahead for the slaughter rule win. 

Final Score 13 - 23

Game 12 & 13 (17/7) - by Ian J. Marginson

Game 1

Strathclyde Falcons 8 @ Manchester A’s              9

Line-Ups:

Strathclyde Falcons		Manchester A’s
Cheyne	CF	Dave Gould	SS
Kettles	SS	Paul Fagan	3B
Gaffney	1B	Martyn Gough	P
Linardi	2B	Jim Gunn	1B
MacKay	LF	Ian Marginson	2B
Grant	C	Ian Marchment	RF
Robertson	P	Adam Pickles	LF
Ledingham	RF	Dave McNeilage	C
Nillur	3B	Chris Jackson	CF
Bench		Bench
Docherty		John Brooks	OF
		Roger Young	IF/OF
		Sean McNeilage	Utility

As with the A’s last game, two weeks ago, this weekend did not start off as planned. Only this time it was the Falcons who turned up minus a kit bag, borrowing balls from the A’s to warm up before the game.

Both sides went with their Ace’s for game 1. Veteran Doug Robertson for the visitors, against the youth of Martyn Gough for the A’s.

The top of the 1^st was a quick one as Gough finished off the first three Falcons with 13 pitches.

The bottom of the inning proved to be more troubling for the scorers, six batters coming to the plate. Dave Gould led off the A’s day with an infield hit to the left side, and stole his only two bases of the game to get to 3^rd base, whilst 3B Paul Fagan was striking out. Gould then scored on the passed ball as Gough reached base on his dropped third strike. Two quick steals from Gough saw him unable to score from 3^rd base as Jim Gunn rifled a line out to Shortstop Kettles. Bringing up 2B Ian Marginson, who swatted one straight down the middle to score Gough, and bring up the A’s own Comedy Swing King Ian Marchment. The less said about Ian’s ‘swing‘, the better. The Falcons Pitcher managed to stifle his laughter long enough to come in and pick the ball up and throw for the out at 1^st.   0 - 2

The Doctor surgically removed Ian’s lead boots from the batters box in time for him to take his place in RF for the second inning. A more fruitful inning for the visitors, Kettles leading off with a double to the fence over LF Adam Pickles head. Pickles recovering well to force the runner to slide into second. MacKay scored Kettles by hitting his first pitch into the gap at 2B created by the fielder trying to hold the runner at 2^nd. Two strike outs surrounded Gough hitting a batter, and then throwing a Wild Pitch to leave both runners in scoring position. Nine hitter Nillur stroked one up the middle to bring home both runners, and reached 2^nd as CF Chris Jackson fumbled around for the loose ball. Jackson then finished the inning by snaffling ’Sosa’ Cheyne’s fly ball to round out the inning.   3 - 2 

Pickles led off the bottom of the inning with a full count walk, Dave McNeilage hitting the next pitch high into foul territory short on the left field line and was caught by 3rd base Nillur. Jackson lined his second pitch directly in front of the usually impeccable Kettles at SS, and it was too hot to handle, reaching safely and moving up Pickles to 2^nd. The next ball in play went straight back to Kettles at short, who again couldn’t make the play. Gould’s speed saw him safe at 1^st, and Jackson come over the plate safely. Fagan’s grounder moved Gould to 3^rd, but he was left stranded as Gough made the last out of the inning with a fly to CF.  3 - 4

Five runners came to the plate in the top of the third inning, and yet the inning only lasted for five pitches. Three fly balls saw Gough out of the inning with only leadoff runner Kettles scoring after he initially reached base with an infield hit, coming home on a fielding error.  4 - 4

Only Marginson managed to get all the way round the bases, on Pickles Sac Hit, in the bottom of the third. The A’s squandered their chance to blow open a lead, after successive walks for Mc Neilage and Jackson loaded up the bases. Gould closing it out with a fly to LF.  4 - 5

A 6-3 grounder and two K’s wrapped around a soft hit single for Nillur, to card another scoreless inning for the visiting Scots.  4 - 5

Kettles picked himself up from his slump in the second half of the inning. Two 6-3 grounders for the second and third outs surrounded a Gunn hit to RF, but his efforts were to no avail, as the first out had already been made by Fagan striking out for the second time today.  4 - 5

Gough walked Kettles on a full count to start off the 5^th inning. Kettles energy stealing 2^nd base on the first pitch Gaffney faced could have been saved, as on his next pitch he muscled one over the CF fence to pick up 2 RBI’s. These were the only two runs to score in this inning, as A’s Catcher McNeilage picked up Linardi’s dropped third strike and threw him out attempting to get to 1^st. Gough fielded and ran to 1^st base himself to record the second out, and he then fielded the pop fly on the infield himself to close out another inning.  6 - 5

Marchment forgot his golden rule of keeping the ball in the air, hitting into a 6-3 grounder leading off. Pickles and McNeilage both reached scoring positions courtesy of some generous fielding by the Falcons, but were left stranded as Jackson made his first out of the day by  virtue of a 5-3 grounder, and Gould dropped his batting average for the day so far down to .500 by striking out.   6 - 5

Two quick out early in the sixth was just what Pitcher Gough needed. Marchment making a good catch in right to calm the nerves, closely followed by Gough striking out eight hitter Ledingham. Gough’s arm was beginning to tire by now. Nillur made it to first with his third hit of the day, and duly stole 2^nd. The next two batters were given a free pass to first by the tiring Gough. Skipper Jackson coming in to have a calming chat with the A’s Ace. That seemed to do the job, as, with the bases loaded Gaffney popped up to 3^rd baseman Fagan, and leave all three runners looking forlorn on the base pads.   6 - 5

Fagan led off the all important sixth inning for the Manchester A’s, gaining a walk, off Falcons Pitcher Robertson. Gough capped his 0-4 batting performance with a pop fly to the Pitcher, before Gunn made his way around to 2^nd after another SS error, bringing home Fagan to tie the game. Gunn moved to 3^rd on Marginson’s hit between SS and 3^rd baseman. Marginson then stole 2^nd uncontested, and on his second pitch Marchment hit what should have been a Sac Fly to CF, only for him to drop it. Gunn scored, and the rest of the leg irons were now at the corners. Pickles then hit to LF for what should have been an easy out, but another error saw Marginson come home, although the slower running Marchment was held at 2^nd! McNeilage then hit the ball to short, who then made the throw to 3B to put out the lead runner on a Fielders Choice play. Pickles and McNeilage then stole around a base each to put them both in scoring position.  Now Jackson wanted a piece of the action, and hit his pitch into CF, easily scoring Pickles from 3^rd, and McNeilage was sent by his base coach. McNeilage seeing it was close, dived full length to try and get under the tag, failing by inches to make it to shut down a productive inning for the A’s. An inning that saw the Manchester side go into a 6 - 9 lead.

All the A’s had to do was stop the Scots from scoring three. Things didn’t start well for Gough though, as first Linardi hit yet another to LF to reach base, and was aggressive on the base paths stealing around to 3^rd. A passed ball saw Linardi score, and the next two batters were walked to put the tying run at 1^st base.  With Gough’s work now done, it was time for the workhorse to come in and close it down. It took five pitches for Fagan to create the unthinkable. With the middle infield back, Robertson hit the ball sharply a step to the left of 2B Marginson, who, amazed to find it in his glove, threw to SS Gould on the base to get the middle runner, Gould then made the perfect relay to 1^st to get the following runner for the Double Play. Mackay, however scored on the play to leave it a one run game with two out in the batting side’s last inning. Eight hitter Ledingham, who had previously struck out three times in previous plate appearances finally turned it on with a hit to RF, and then stole 2^nd base on the second pitch. With the nine hitter Nillur at the plate currently 3 for 3 on the day, the pressure was on Fagan. Never fear though. The old timer delivered the goods, collecting the Save with a classy strike out to end a well fought victory against the ‘United Clans’ of Strathclyde.

Both teams struggled at times, being weakened by missing players in key positions, but this is the kind of game that makes us all want to be a part of it.

Final Score  8 - 9

MVP	Ian Marginson  3-4 2Runs 1RBI 1SB         Double Play(D Gould)
Game Ball	Dave Gould      2-4 1Run 2SB                    Double Play(I Marginson)
Game Ball	Martyn Gough  6 Solid Innings Pitched For The Win
Game Ball	Chris Jackson   2-3 1Run 1RBI 1BB
Bone Head	Ian Marchment Please shout ‘Excuse Me’ when you swing next time!!

Game 2

Strathclyde Falcons         11      @      Manchester A’s               16

Strathclyde Falcons		Manchester A’s
Cheyne	CF	Dave Gould	SS
Kettles	SS	Martyn Gough	3B
Gaffney	1B	Paul Fagan	P
Linardi	2B	Jim Gunn	1B
MacKay	LF	Ian Marginson	2B
Nillur	3B	Ian Marchment	C
Grant	C	Adam Pickles	LF
Robertson	P	Sean McNeilage	RF
Docherty	RF	Chris Jackson	CF
Bench		Bench
Ledingham		John Brooks	OF
		Roger Young	IF/OF

Strathclyde started off game two in better shape than game one. After 2 pitches of  Paul Fagan’s start the Falcons were two runs up, after Cheyne scored on Ian Marginson’s error off the bat of Kettles. The first six batters reaching base, with a second crossing the plate, before Fagan took control with a K and a flyball after Marginson made up for his earlier error by throwing out the lead runner for the first out.   2 - 0

Dave Gould responded  by legging out an infield hit on his first pitch, and Martyn Gough reached by virtue of his own single, both runners moving over with steals. Fagan scored both runners on a single to LF, and scored after Jim Gunn’s Fly to RF was misplayed. Marginson made the first out of the inning with a CF fly, and then Ian Marchment was saved the embarrassment of having to swing being issued a walk. An infield hit for Adam Pickles loaded up the bases for Sean McNeilage, who smoked his first pitch to CF to bring home Marchment. Pickles also made the turn and reached home thanks to a poor throw to the plate. (Sliding practice on Thursday for Adam.) McNeilage wasted no time stealing his way to 2^nd, Chris Jackson moving him on to 3^rd, whilst reaching 1^st himself on another outfield error. Gould made the second out of the inning with a strike out, before Gough brought home McNeilage and Jackson on a triple to the LF fence for the seventh and eighth runs. Fagan recorded his second outfield hit of the inning to score Gough, and was forced to move to 2^nd base when Gunn took a free walk. Marginson then hit straight to 3^rd base , who put out Fagan on the run.   2 - 9

Strathclyde scored three runs in the second inning, on two hits and three walks, with Fagan picking up a second strike out for the day. Manchester failed to reply in their half of the inning, although Pickles continued to shine with a bat in his hand, hitting a big double out to right, only to be left stranded.   5 - 9

A third K for Fagan started off the third inning in style, and promptly spoiled it by walking nine hitter Docherty on a full count. Docherty made her way home, stealing 2^nd and taking the remaining two bases on an error and a Wild Pitch. Cheyne’s fly out preceded Kettles taking a walk, and scoring on Gaffney’s single. Linardi making the last out to leave the score.  7 - 9

Gould took his customary walk to lead off the inning, and Gough failed to join him on the bases after striking out for the only time today. Double for Fagan and Marginson sandwiched a single for Gunn. All four runners scored before Marchment and Pickles could finish the inning with a pop fly and an easy  grounder back to the Pitcher.   7 - 13

Fagan blanked the Falcons in the top half of the fourth inning. Starting with a 4-3 grounder, Gough then dragged 1B Gunn off the bag to allow Nillur to reach successfully. Fagan then struck out the battle-weary Strathclyde Catcher Grant, who had to catch both games, for the third time in three appearances at the plate. Another error charged to Gough saw Robertson reach safely, before Marchment picked up the dropped third strike of Docherty, and made a perfect throw to 1B to make the out.   7 - 13

The A’s could not reply in their half inning. The only 123 inning that the Manchester batters gave up all day long. Although Jackson did reach on the dropped third strike, only to be picked off in a close play two pitches later.   7 - 13

Two batters made it out of the batters box safely to 1^st base for the Falcons in the fifth, only to be left stranded on base as their team mates could not help them around to home plate.

Gough and Gunn reached base with walks in the fifth, either side of a fly out to 1^st base by Fagan. Marginson then sacrificed Gunn, who was running to 2^nd, to score Gough and reach safely himself, avoiding the Double Play. Marchment then singled to LF, moving Marginson to 2^nd. Both runners stole across the diamond to allow Pickles to drive them both home on another single to CF. Up stepped rookie John Brooks for his first plate appearance ever. Contact on the first pitch he faced however was not enough, hitting the ball back to the Falcon Pitcher who duly despatched the ball to his 1^st baseman to claim the end of the inning.   7 - 16

Now with the A’s hoping to hold the Falcons scoreless, and score one more to bring the  slaughter rule into effect. The Falcons would not lie down, putting up yet more resistance. One run scored in the top of the sixth, Nillur coming home. Before the next three batters went down in succession, including two more strike outs for Fagan.    8 - 16

Only Jackson made it to the bases in the sixth inning for the A’s, courtesy of a walk. The next three batters going down in order to retain the score at  8 - 16

Strathclyde exerted more pressure on the A’s in the bottom of the inning with the top of their order due up. Cheyne led off with a single, and quickly stole 2^nd. Kettles then hit his third pitch straight down the throat of A’s CF Jackson, who managed to hold Kettles at 2^nd with a quick throw to the infield. Kettles was not hanging around for long though, and on the next pitch stole 3^rd. Gaffney ripped a triple to score the runner, and was soon to cross the plate himself, as cleanup hitter Linardi brought him home with a Double to the right CF fence. Linardi’s steal of 3^rd caused an error on the infield, and he came to score uncontested, as the ball rolled out to Roger Young, who had earlier replaced Pickles in LF. Fagan fought back, striking out MacKay, but lost his zone on the next batter to walk Nillur. Fortunately next up was the beleaguered Grant, who Fagan had stopped getting to 1^st base four times already in this game. Fagan came up trumps again. This time fielding the grounder himself, and throwing out the runner at first to end the ballgame.   11 - 16.

Final Score 11 - 16

MVP	Paul Fagan           3-5 1Double 4RBI           7Innings Pitched For The Win  8K’s
Game Ball	Adam Pickles       3-4 1Double 2Runs 2RBI
Game Ball	Sean McNeilage   1-3 1Run 2RBI 1SB        Strong Defence
Game Ball	John Brooks          First Appearance for Manchester. Webgem Running Catch.
Bone Head	A’s Infield            Blown coverage on the run down

Combined A’s Stats For The Weekend

Game 14 (07/8) - by Ian J. Marginson

Game 1

Halton Jaguars 21 @ Manchester A’s

Line-Ups:

Halton Jaguars		Manchester A’s
Nick Bustin	CF	Dave Gould	SS
Tyler Mattler	3B	Adam Pickles	3B
Rob Mills	P	Dave McNeilage	P
Alex Heeson	SS	Jim Gunn	1B
Kevin Cuddy	2B	Ian Marginson	2B
Brian Sultana	LF	Ian Marchment	C
Harry Mills	C	Tony Wolstenholme	LF
Ioan Said	RF	Sean McNeilage	RF
Chris Pittard	1B	Chris Jackson	CF
Bench		Bench
Billy Sneddon	OF	Dave Gaskell	P/U
Colin Walton	P/IF	Rob Dipper	OF
John Pauls	IF	Stuart Winter	OF
Chris Taggart	P/IF	Ken Panko	IF
John Mills	?	John Brooks	OF
		Yobert Pino	1B/OF
		Martyn Gough	P/IF

The A’s final match up of the season with local rivals Halton went the way of the form books this weekend. Halton having made the short trip up the M56 to Allen Field.

The A’s management, unused to single header games, were forced to make some changes this week With the unavailability of both their usual starters, rookie Dave McNeilage was awarded the starting pitching duties and veteran Ian Marchment taking his place behind the plate.

It was to be a mixed first inning for the A’s starter. Three strikeouts surrounded three hits for the Jaguars. All three runners scoring, the final two on Alex Heesom’s HR over the RF fence.

The A’s failed to strike back early, going down 1-2-3 to Halton starter Rob Mills.   3 - 0

In the top of the second inning, D McNeilage received minimal help from his fielders behind him. Six errors, combined with three hits and a walk culminated in a seven run inning for the visitors. Only the sharp thinking and accurate arm of  Marchment behind the plate ended the inning, by picking off the labouring Ioan Said at 1^st.

In reply Jim Gunn ripped the third pitch he saw in to CF. 2B Ian Marginson in a vain attempt to offset his four errors in the first half of the inning, singled to LF, moving Gunn to 2^nd. He was then put out at 2^nd base, as Marchment hit into the Double Play. A play completed at first with the fielder sprawled on the floor, not even close to the bag, the fielder refusing to own up to this blatantly obvious fact to the ump. A fact not gone unnoticed by the Menwith Patriots players who pleaded the first baseman to play fair and tell the umpire. The Patriots players had come to watch this lower league game in the break between their double header on the other diamond with the Eagles. Gunn meanwhile had moved to 3^rd, and came home on the next batter, Tony Wolstenholme’s single to RF. Sean McNeilage followed up with a single of his own to the outfield. Both batters being left stranded as skipper Chris Jackson struck out on three pitches to end the inning.   10 - 1

Chris Pittard led off the top of the third with a strikeout, but Pitcher McNeilage could not field his own come backer off Bustin. For the second out, Mattler hit into an 6-3 grounder, Bustin moving to 3^rd base. Rob Mills took a full count walk, and promptly moved up on a Wild Pitch. Bustin scoring. Heesom had his second hit of the game, moving Mills to 3^rd, before being picked off going to 2^nd base by McNeilage and 2B Marginson. The umpire calling the runner out even though Marginson was quick to alert the ump that no tag was made, as the runner was too far out of reach.

Two fly outs and another strikeout left Adam Pickles on base after his single was stretched to 2^nd by the infield error.   11 - 1

Brian Sultana was the only scorer for the Jaguars in the top of the fourth. An inning that included Halton batter Said giving a lewd gesture to the Manchester junior pitcher after being hit by pitch, and a second Double Play of the season for the middle infield, albeit on a dubious call at 1B by the ump.

Marginson reached with a full count walk, and scored on Dave Gaskell’s Sac hit for Manchester, after Marchment had moved him over to 3rd with a sac hit of his own. Sean McNeilage had took his own full count walk and was then picked off taking too big a lead towards 2^nd to end the inning    12 - 2

Good defence, including a stunning diving catch in RF by S McNeilage, in the top of the fifth meant no runners came home, and only one run scored for Manchester in the bottom half of the inning. Jackson coming home after stroking a single to RF. The next three batters failed to reach base, but sloppy defence by the visitors allowed Jackson home on two errors and a Wild Pitch.    12 - 3

Billy Sneddon, in for Said, smashed a double to the RF fence, but that was not enough to trouble the scorer. D McNeilage made sure of the three outs himself, two strike outs, and a self preservation snare of a line drive closed out the sixth inning.

Jim Gunn led off with a free pass to 1B after being Hit By Pitch. Marginson followed him on base with his second hit of the day. Then came the drama. It has taken him 11 years since the last one, but Ian Marchment managed to float one over the CF boundary fence for a three run HR*. Rob Dipper, in for S McNeilage, reached base with a walk, only to be picked off trying for a second base on  Jackson’s single to CF Bustin. One of two outfielders in the league you do not try this on. Lesson learned. (Although great effort and a nice slide) No more runs scored in the inning leaving the score at.    12 - 6

A change of Pitcher partway through the inning did not stem the flow in the seventh inning. All four of the batters that D McNeilage allowed on base reached home, as did two of the four that reliever Gaskell allowed on base. Eleven batters coming to the plate in their half of the inning.

With the score now 18 - 6 and the slaughter rule now in place, Manchester rallied. D McNeilage was Hit By Pitch, Gunn reached courtesy of a walk, and Marginson brought the lead runner home with his third hit to LF of the day. Marchment then sacrificed Marginson at 2^nd to bring home Gunn. Now only one run was needed to avoid the slaughter rule loss.  Gaskell took the free walk offered to him to have runners at 1^st and 2^nd. Dipper struck out, leaving the way for Jackson to clear the fences with a three run HR* to opposite field. After all the excitement, Gould made the final out with his third strike out of the day.    18 - 11

The top of the eighth proved no easier for the A’s. A succession of pitchers saw fourteen runs score on twelve hits before third reliever Gould finished the inning with his first strike out as a Manchester Pitcher.

Twelve runs to avoid the slaughter was too much for the A’s. Only replacement John Brooks managed to get on base as the Jag’s brought in closer Chris Taggart, who struck out two of the four batters he faced, to end the inning, and the game.

Game 15 & 16 (21/8) - by Ian J. Marginson

Game 1

Manchester A’s      17      @      4        Bolton Brewers

Line-Ups:

Manchester A’s		Bolton Brewers
Sean McNeilage	SS	P Mortimer	SS
Dave Gould	CF	M Norburn	2B
Martyn Gough	3B	B Joyce	3B
Ian Marginson	2B	J Sherlock	P
Rich Morley	1B	M Bell	1B
Ian Marchment	RF	P Wilson	CF
Dave McNeilage	C	M Young-McLaren	C
E9. Formerly known as Dave Gaskell	LF	A Gee	RF
Chris Jackson	P	S Wilson	LF
Bench		Bench
Paul Fagan	P/Util.	P Beswick
Ian McNeilage	Utility	C Openshaw
Stuart Winter	OF	A Davidson
Gareth Aubrey	OF	P Bridge

The Manchester A’s final game of the season matched them up with local rivals The Bolton Brewers, on an lovely day at the field of dreams.

Game 1 started well for the A’s. Second baseman Sean McNeilage, leading off for the A’s, and veteran SS Dave Gould, batting at two, both accepted their free walks offered by Brewers starter J Sherlock. Martyn Gough then reached 1^st after his third strike was dropped, the first two batters coming home on errors by the infield. Sherlock then fanned both Ian Marginson and Rich Morley, before Ian ‘Bloop’ Marchment flew out to 2^nd base to close the inning out.    2 - 0

The Brewers failed to score in their half inning. Dave McNeilage the A’s starter claiming three strike-outs in the inning.    2 - 0

Two more runs scored in the top of the second inning. In part thanks to a Sac Hit by RF Dave Gaskell, and only one hit, a Dave Gould Double, and three walks.    4 - 0

In their turn at the plate, only one runner was allowed on base for the Brewers.  A. Gee was left stranded at 2^nd base after his walk, as two strike outs and a 4-3 grounder ended the inning.    4 - 0

Sherlock responded in the best way possible. Striking out Morley, Marchment, and D McNeilage in successive at bats on only twelve pitches.    4 - 0

A resurgence by the Brewers in the bottom of the third saw their skipper 2B Matt Norburn reach with a walk, and the following three batters, Joyce, Sherlock, and Bell all reaching with singles. Next batter, P Wilson, took his walk, before D McNeilage struck out the next two batters, and fielded the grounder off nine hitter S Wilson, and racing his way to the 1^st base bag for the put out.    4 - 3

Gaskell struck out at the top of the fourth. Sherlock then walked Skipper Chris Jackson, and followed up by striking out S McNeilage. A two out rally quickly followed. Walks for Gould and Marginson  were split up by  a single to RF by Gough. Four runs scoring for the A’s, with only Gough picking up an RBI. The other three coming over the plate courtesy of some sloppy fielding. Rich Morley making the last out attempting a risky steal of home-plate, being called out in a very close play.    8 - 3

The Brewers could not respond. Carding three outs in twelve pitches. Mortimer flew out to CF Jackson, and although Norburn reached after RF Gaskell was adjudged to have not fielded the ball cleanly by umpire Wallwein, he was then caught in a run down heading for 2^nd base. Marginson was then involved in his weekly comedy fielding moment. Having to dive to his right to pick up a seemingly innocuous grounder by Joyce, and crawling back to the line to tag out the runner before he could reach safely.    8 - 3

A now tired Sherlock was now way down on his velocity, and the A’s batters took full advantage of the Brewers short bench. Five walks, three singles, consecutive doubles for Gough and Marginson, and Gaskell reaching on error saw fourteen batters come to the plate, and nine runs score. Sherlock finally closing out the inning after the damage was done with S McNeilage and Gould falling down on strikes.    17 - 3

The most unusual display of individual hitting I have personally seen was seen on the first pitch of the Brewers half of the inning. Sherlock smoking a pitch that was barely inches from the ground into the gap in between CF and RF, then turning on the speed all the way to 3^rd, beating out the throw from Jackson. Bell then struck out with a full count, before P Wilson beat out the throw to 1^st from SS Gould, scoring Sherlock. Ignoring the runner, D McNeilage then struck out new CF Beswick, the runner moving across to 3^rd in the process. Another walk for Gee saw runners at the corners, however D McNeilage was not in the mood to allow any more runs, and duly struck out S Wilson for the second time today to end the inning and the game.    17 - 4 

Two tidy pitching performances saw a tight game early on, whilst the Brewers lack of pitching depth proved to be the turning point of a game played in great spirits by both teams. With a good game called by umpire Wallwein.

Game 2

Manchester A’s      3        @      4    Bolton Brewers

Line-Ups:

Manchester A’s		Bolton Brewers
Sean McNeilage	2B	P Mortimer	SS
Dave Gould	SS	M Norburn	2B
Martyn Gough	P	B Joyce	3B
Paul Fagan	3B	J Sherlock	C
Ian Marginson	1B	A Davidson	P
Rich Morley	LF	M Bell	1B
Dave McNeilage	C	P Wilson	CF
Stuart Winter	RF	A Gee	LF
Chris Jackson	CF	S Wilson	RF
Bench		Bench
E9. Formerly known as Dave Gaskell	P/Utility	P Beswick
Ian McNeilage	Utility	C Openshaw
Gareth Aubrey	OF

The game 2 pitching duel went deeper into the game than the game one match up. Aaron Davidson started on the mound for the Brewers. Top two batters Sean McNeilage and Dave Gould both reached with walks, S McNeilage being caught in a run down on his way over to 2^nd. Martyn Gough then flew out deep into CF, and Paul Fagan was Davidson’s first strike out victim, leaving Gould stranded at 2^nd base.

Gough took only four pitches to strike out lead off hitter Mortimer in the A’s defence of the 1^st inning. Three pitches saw Norburn ground out to SS Gould. Two pitches later Gough fielded Joyce’s come backer, and threw comfortably to 1st baseman Ian Marginson, to close out the inning in only nine pitches.    0 - 0

Marginson led off the top of the second inning with another walk, but was left stranded at second as Rich Morley, Dave McNeilage, and Stuart Winter all recorded infield outs to end the inning scoreless. The latter being unlucky enough to line a good hit straight at the fielder at 3^rd.   0 - 0

Bolton fared no better in their half of the inning. Gough needing only ten pitches, whilst recording a flyball to CF, and two strike outs in shutting the Brewers down for the second successive inning.  0 - 0

Two fly balls and a strikeout meant that the A’s were back on the defensive quicker than they would have liked, in the top of the third. Davidson settling in nicely for the home side.

The Brewers however came out with all guns blazing. Both Wilson brothers came around to score, along with Mortimer. These three runs scoring on only two hits, and two walks.    0  -  3

Neither Gough nor Fagan could get the ball past the mound in the top of the fourth inning. Gough’s batted ball was picked up by catcher Sherlock for an easy out at 1^st. Followed by Fagan also being put out at 1^st, this time with a throw from Pitcher Davidson. After a long discussion at the plate about whether or not the Catcher Sherlock interfered with Marginson’s swing. And with Sherlock denying all knowledge of an infraction, Umpire Wallwein was left with no choice but to call a strike on the batter. The next pitch received by the already incensed Marginson had a little extra on it, only with a little less direction, and gave him no chance to escape, taking one full in the ribs. Marginson, now fuelled on adrenaline, then took off to 2^nd base on Morley’s first pitch, but was then caught a yard short of 3^rd base on the next pitch by Catcher Sherlock’s timely throw, and 3rd baseman Joyce’s tag.

The A’s infield then did what was expected of them. Eleven pitches saw two infield outs followed by Gough’s fifth strikeout of the game to close out the bottom of the fourth with no Brewer reaching base.    0  -  3

No A’s reached in the top of the fifth inning. None of the three batters managing to get the ball past the infield. The A’s batters only managing to make the Brewers hurler throw six pitches.

A dribbler bled its way back to the Pitcher, for the groundout to 1^st to start the A’s defence of the fifth inning. Gough then granted a four pitch walk to speedster Mortimer. Norburn then hit his first pitch deep into the gap between CF and RF, which began the comedy of errors. Mortimer failed to tag and rounded 2^nd before the ball had even come down, yet the fielders could see CF Jackson settling under the ball ready to catch it. With the infield already shouting for a quick relay back to 1^st base for the double play, Jackson caught the ball, only to be immediately blindsided by the juggernaught that is E9(the ballplayer formerly known as Dave Gaskell). The ball popped from Jackson’s glove, both fielders collapsed on the ground, Mortimer held at 3^rd base, and Norburn was safe at 2^nd before Jackson could retrieve the ball, and then make the throw to the infield. Joyce then sacrificed to score Mortimer, and Sherlock closed it out by popping up to Pitcher Gough.    0  -  4

Jackson led off the sixth by reaching all the way to 2^nd after the Brewers 1^st baseman dropped the ball receiving the throw from across the diamond. S McNeilage and Gould both struck out, with Jackson scoring on the passed ball. Gough then reached base by virtue of a fielding error, but was then the second A’s runner caught stealing^, on the first pitch of Fagan’s at bat. Fagan not even getting to take the bat off his shoulder.

First batter up Davidson reached with a hit to LF, only to be forced out at 2^nd base by Bell hitting into a Fielders Choice. Bell was then in turn forced out at 2^nd by P Wilson’s Fielders Choice. Openshaw replaced Gee in the line-up, and reached with a walk, Wilson having made it to 3^rd on a Wild Pitch. Another change in the line-up saw Beswick come in to replace S Wilson only to hit into the third Fielders Choice of the inning. Openshaw, having stolen 2^nd, was tagged moving across to 3^rd to end the inning.    1  -  4

The heart of the A’s now had to get thing together to take this game any further. In the final scheduled inning of the game, four hitter Fagan led off with a single to RF. Marginson then watched three balls pass him by, before hitting the first strike thrown to him inches away from the 3^rd base bag, moving Fagan to 3^rd. Gareth Aubrey then took the place of Morley in the line-up, with instruction to lay down the sac bunt. Aubrey did this successfully, sacrificing Marginson at 2^nd to bring home Fagan. D McNeilage then took his walk to move Aubrey to 2^nd. The Brewers Catcher then fumbled the pitched ball, Aubrey, hearing a call from the crowd, took off towards 3^rd only to be the third runner to be caught as Sherlock recovered the ball and through in time for Joyce to make the tag for the second out.  McNeilage had followed the runner to 2^nd, and came home from 2^nd on the line drive to RF by replacement Dave Gaskell. Now with a one run game, heads up running saw Gaskell move across to 2^nd on a Wild Pitch. Jackson took his gift of a walk to represent the go ahead run at 1^st, Gaskell the tying run at 2^nd. Another Wild Pitch, this time to S McNeilage saw both runners moving up one base to create heaps of pressure on the Brewers Pitcher Davidson. For once though S McNeilage couldn’t come through. A pop up to SS Mortimer ended the game.    3  -  4

Both teams played excellent ball in this game, coupled with good umpiring, saw a great advert for British baseball.

Combined A’s Stats For The Weekend