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Manchester A's 2006 Part 1

This feature, and those to follow, will deal with the Manchester A's and their exploits on the playing fields of England during the 2006 season.

A Belated Opening Day (07/05) - by Ian J. Marginson

Manchester A’s 4 @ Humber Pilots 10

Line-Ups:

Manchester A’s		Humber Pilots
Eduardo Wulff	RF	S Langton	SS
Rob Taylor	LF	D Copeland	C
Paul Fagan	SS	A Wiltshire	P
Jim Gunn	1B	A Magby	1B
Ian Marginson	2B	B Webb	3B
Dave McNeilage	3B	P Baines	RF
Andrew Metcalf	P	P Benn	2B
Dave Gaskell	C	K Matheton	CF
Chris Jackson	CF	R Phillips	RF
Bench		Bench
Stuart Holden	OF	S Westheton	OF
Sean McNeilage	Util.	C Radge	IF

The first game of the year for the A’s proved to be a thrilling match-up. The ‘new’ Division One Humber Pilots hosting the Premier League A’s.

The A’s started the game off promisingly. LF Ed Wulff, promoted preseason to the leadoff spot,  led off with a base-hit bunt, moving to second on the pitchers throwing error. A stolen base, and a passed ball whilst RF Rob Taylor was striking out saw Wulff score the opening run. Then SS Paul Fagan reached base with a hit to left, and quickly scored by first pilfering a base, and them completing the journey courtesy of defensive mistakes, before the inning ended with no more score.

Humber could not muster a reply against the A’s rookie starter Andy Metcalf, on his debut. Two K’s and a 4 - 3 grounder ended the inning with one runner left on second .      2 - 0

The second  inning saw no profit for the A’s, though the Pilots recorded their first run of the game. Leadoff man Barry Webb scoring on Metcalfs first Balk of the day.     2 - 1

A 1-2-3 inning for Pilots pitcher Wiltshire was followed by Wiltshire himself scoring to tie up the game in the bottom half of the third.     2 - 2

A three up, three down fourth inning for both pitchers, included three K’s for Metcalf, and 2 K’s for Wiltshire.     2 - 2

An infield hit with one out saw CF Jackson reach base safely in the top of the fifth. And a stolen base and a Wild Pitch saw him move to third, before Wulffs second hit of the game brought him home to take the lead. Wulff, in turn, came home to score on Taylors first hit of the season, before 1B Jim Gunn made his third out of the inning to close the half inning.

In the bottom of the inning, three hits, an error, and another Balk scored three, to put the Pilots in the lead,      4 - 5

3B Dave McNeilage was left stranded on first base in the sixth. The A’s bats not able to move him round after reaching on an infield hit.

A walk and a Balk, surrounded by two K‘s, added to a stolen base and a throwing error saw Pilots S Langton score to bolster the lead to two runs.     4 - 6

The A’s bats stayed asleep in the top of the seventh. Only Rob Taylor reaching base, after the third strike was dropped by  Pilots catcher  D. Copeland. Eventually left stranded as no one else was able to contribute to the cause.

The Pilots on the other hand were chipping away. Wiltshire scored his third of the day after his single to centre and two stolen bases was followed by  A. Magbys RBI single to right field. Three straight outs followed to end the inning.     4 - 7

Two fly balls and a K surrounded 2B Ian Marginson’s lone hit. Marginson left stranded at second base after he stole a bag.

The Pilots once again bolstered their lead, this time off closer Dave McNeilage. Younger brother Sean McNeilage in at SS when Metcalf was lifted picked up assists on the first and last outs of the inning, sandwiching an error which scored one of three runs scored in the inning, on two walks and one hit.     4 - 10

At the top of the ninth, with their backs to the wall, the A’s decided to start a rally. Catcher Dave Gaskell led off with his usual opposite field hit, and his lead boots held him at third on Jacksons  double to centre. Wulff then put up the potential RBI sac fly, only for Gaskell to freeze on third, and Jackson to run on the crack of the bat, and get put out at second after failing to tag. In came rookie Stuart Holden, in his first game for the club, to pinch hit for Taylor. Holden could not provide the necessary, and ended the game with a 2 - 2 strikeout.

FINAL SCORE     4 - 10

Both teams played excellent ball in this game, in great spirits. Coupled with good umpiring, saw a great ballgame all round.

MVP	Chris Jackson       3-4 1Double  2SB 1Run
Game Ball	Paul Fagan           2-4 1Run 2SB
Game Ball	Ed Wulff              2-5 2 Runs  1 SB 1 RBI
Bone Head	Chris Jackson       Failing to tag on a fly, and being doubled off from the outfield

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