Loan Wolves 2 - 9 Dubstars
A bright and breezy Primrose Hill awaited us for our match with the table-topping Dubstars on the longest day of the year. We didn’t need the late sunset of the Summer solstice though - the game was not a long one. Low scoring matches often aren’t.
Our supporter from last week - the random Caribbean drunk guy who wandered through our team talk and urged us to play well - was not there, but as captain I had support from Michael and now-ex-Wolf Alex.
As away side we took to the field first and ended the Dubstars’ first inning without conceding a run. Sadly, they then did the same for us.
The game was in many ways tighter than the scoreline suggests. We kept the Dubstars from scoring in four of the seven innings, not letting the game get away from us. We missed a few opportunities to take outs and keep runners from advancing, though, and eight of the opposition runs came from two grand slam home runs.
Julian’s pitching was solid all through the game. We suffered from the glare of the Sun in one inning, only for it to go behind a cloud when it was our turn to field. Cool as ever, Julian calmly struck their first batter out. In the shade.
Gary proved to be a real asset in the outfield. New player Kieran hit hard, and was our only runner to score. Sue, who we had met playing for the development side at the weekend’s tournament, was a welcome new recruit. Lucy’s enthusiasm in the outfield was great, and Holly was comfortable as Catcher.
Rob as Third and DJ at Shortstop did a good job, with Gabriele at First and myself shouting from Second to add experience to their youthful enthusiasm. I subbed myself out for the last inning to give Kieran an at-bat and a chance to experience life in the infield.
The greater experience of playing together as a team that the Dubstars showed did give them an advantage, but the newer Loan Wolves players are already playing strongly, and are learning all the while. Each game brings its own lessons - from the confidence that comes with making a successful play to the awareness of how to handle a missed opportunity next time it occurs.
Our supporter from last week - the random Caribbean drunk guy who wandered through our team talk and urged us to play well - was not there, but as captain I had support from Michael and now-ex-Wolf Alex.
As away side we took to the field first and ended the Dubstars’ first inning without conceding a run. Sadly, they then did the same for us.
The game was in many ways tighter than the scoreline suggests. We kept the Dubstars from scoring in four of the seven innings, not letting the game get away from us. We missed a few opportunities to take outs and keep runners from advancing, though, and eight of the opposition runs came from two grand slam home runs.
Julian’s pitching was solid all through the game. We suffered from the glare of the Sun in one inning, only for it to go behind a cloud when it was our turn to field. Cool as ever, Julian calmly struck their first batter out. In the shade.
Gary proved to be a real asset in the outfield. New player Kieran hit hard, and was our only runner to score. Sue, who we had met playing for the development side at the weekend’s tournament, was a welcome new recruit. Lucy’s enthusiasm in the outfield was great, and Holly was comfortable as Catcher.
Rob as Third and DJ at Shortstop did a good job, with Gabriele at First and myself shouting from Second to add experience to their youthful enthusiasm. I subbed myself out for the last inning to give Kieran an at-bat and a chance to experience life in the infield.
The greater experience of playing together as a team that the Dubstars showed did give them an advantage, but the newer Loan Wolves players are already playing strongly, and are learning all the while. Each game brings its own lessons - from the confidence that comes with making a successful play to the awareness of how to handle a missed opportunity next time it occurs.