Portland Pirates

After an incredible season where we will collect the Advertising League Champions trophy this Thursday following a run of 8 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss. It was time to continue our run for the double and the Playoff Champions Trophy. Having pressganged a team last minute to make it out and win our quarter final a couple of weeks ago, the victorious run of this years pirates ended with a fantastic and nail biting semi final against Cap Gemini.

Although Cap Gemini were bolstered by the return of Steve Rice at shortstop and we were missing Ange, Bridget and myself - everyone played a fatastic game where the combined might of Cap's international grade players only managed to wrestle the lead from us after a massive 8 innings!

Three times we were tied and twice we took and held a lead, but finally as the light faded and courtesy of some great diving catches from Staffie and Co - they took the lead in the 8th and held it to make the Final.

We now get to focus on the partying instead of playing this week. As always some memorable moments and (dis)honourable mentions.

“We had a fantastic semi final last night and we eventually beat the Pirates in extra innings 11-8. Chris, great game mate and it was good fun, you have an awesome bunch and congrats on winning the league!” - Staffie

"JB pitching with that wind - coped much better than Cap Pitcher" - Panda

Amy putting head and body on line stopping ball - and taking catch aimed straight at her despite Coxy trying to take it - let the girls play!

Jess second game and quick thinking pick and throw to first base for another out.

Bethan's left field hit just over top of 3rd base - and playing 2nd base for first time and making a great relay to JB to get Ricey out.

"Panda deserves a special mention for an outstanding performance in left field!! WOOO HOOO! He made me look good" - Jime

"Jime solid outfield and backing up infield" - Panda

Gray O and me for luring Capgemini's big hitting outfielder Goughie into a great out - having stood motionless watching a ground ball approaching him earlier, I made sure Goughie overheard me excusing it due to Gray O being completely blind! Goughie steps up and smack's a monster hit right field straight into Gray O's waiting glove.

So that's almost it for 2011, all we have left to do is - vote for the team awards (an email will come around shortly), dust off our best Pirate outfits and party hard on Thursday night. A massive thank you to everyone involved, I hope you all enjoyed it as much as me.

Captain Rubble.

Only a few hours before last week's quarter final, the Pirates were precariously balanced on the precipice of a forfeit - which of course is no way for the league champions to carry themselves. So at the last minute and courtesy of some influential words from JB we were rescued by our heroines Jess, Nadine and Renee.

Comfortable again in the knowledge we had a full team, even if it was practically the first time our heroines had played - we sailed out on to Regents Park. The usual pre game rituals were honoured; a little warming up, knocking back a few beers in the sun, and since it was a quarter final - enquiring as to where our umpire was..... Fortunately Ronnie passed by having found his diamond abandoned and stepped in to umpire the Pirate playoff.

After the first innings, the Ba Baa's must have wondered how we had managed to win the league. Our top order batsmen failing to score a single run, and a myriad of errors whilst fielding allowed them a 3-0 lead. Only the second time all season we have been behind!

With such a poor start, I couldn't decide if the team just relaxed ready to accept their fate or if all thoughts of beer were put aside until the victory was ours - the next 6 innings were a master class in diamond pillaging. The Ba Baa's were only permitted another 5 runs and our batting sparked into life with scores of 5, 6, 1, 6, 5, 8 in the remaining innings taking us to victory and the semi finals versus Capgemini.

As always, memorable moments and (dis)honourable mentions from the crew:

A massive thanks again to Jess, Nadine and Renee for stepping into the breach.

All the girls getting hits and making it to base, especially Jess who contributed her fair share of runs - scoring 3 during her first game.

Nads putting her body on the line, and just missing an out having controlled a ball like a pro footballer - ouch. Gloves not knees...

Coxy managing a homerun from a ball he barely hit beyond the infield.

Free admission  to spectators under 10 years old, a special mention for our supporters Rocco, Oscar and Louie.

Hook suddenly deciding he could steal bases and knew how to slide, followed by him becoming far too familiar with the Ba Baa's girl on second base.

Coxy trying to improve his batting rank and playing mind games with out number one batter - Rosey.

Coxy and his magnetic hands at short stop making up for his dishonourable mention above.....

A couple of home run and maybe game saving catches from Ant in the distant outfield. Those Ba Baa's were certainly hitting better than they did at the beginning of the season.

Great victory everyone. Time to prepare for the semi final and hopefully a second victory over the reigning champions - Capgemini.

Captain Rubble