The Middle Rock Mariners were drawn to play the Port Macquarie Pirates on Diamond 2 at Blackbutt Park Wauchope on Sunday, July 12.
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The Mariners were feeling confident after their impressive start to the season last week.
Unfortunately the Mariners started by giving away three base on balls to the first three batters.
This was followed by a muffed fly at left field and a deep sacrifice fly once again to left field, allowing the Pirates to score three runs.
The Mariners replied with their first three batters failing to make first base, thus allowing the Pirates to open up a 3/0 lead.
The powerful Pirates batting line up then clicked into gear during the second innings recording six safe hits and two walks, scoring seven runs and putting the game pretty well out of the reach of the Mariners.
The Mariners replied with one run after Tim Harris cracked the ball to right field but two strike outs finished the Pirates innings with only one run scored.
With the Pirates now having a 10-1 lead the Mariners tried some innovative tactics. However the task was beyond them with the Pirates running out as winners in the final innings 16-1.
The best players for the Mariners were Matt Lindsay and Todd Reid with two safe hits while Warren Collins smashed a safe hit to left field.
Ryan Bray debuted on the mound and showed that with a little more coaching experience could develop into a handy back up pitcher.
Mali Boller was hit by a pitch ball and showed great courage sprinting to first base before being put out at third base.
Coach Todd Reid thanked the players for their efforts.
"I'm sure we will bounce back next week," he said.
The B Grade team welcomed back Captain-Coach Marty Dures.
His powerful pitching in the first two innings held the Pirates to only three runs and allowed the Mariners to finish the second innings trailing by only one run.
The Pirates then took control of the game running out winners 15-5. The Mariners were best served by Jason Kirkpatrick who had two safe hits to centre field.
Mick Prosser pitched well and had a two base safe hit while Dave Connor, Raj Kandry and Hari Padmanabha all had safe hits.
Coach Dures was impressed with the great improvement in the team after last week's disappointment.