Bears have defended their title by beating Rovers 5-2 today to win the women's grand final of the PNG Power National Softball Club Fast Pitch tournament.
It was a scoreless first three innings. Pitchers from both teams, Quandalyne Vinim (Bears) and Tenisha Kuveu (Rovers) were in top form backed up by tight infields determined not to let any runs through.
Rovers broke the deadlock at the bottom of the fourth inning after an overthrow to first base allowed Alice Bossie to run home from third base to score. The Bears hit back in the sixth inning scoring all their five runs through Francine Malum, Nadia Bais, Lisa Polum, Francisca Kinit and Delin Bais.
The Rovers managed one run in the same inning when a safe hit brought Lulo Poweseu flying home to make it 5-2. But the Port Moresby girls proved too strong defending their lead to the end.
Rovers were given one last chance having their last turn of bat at the bottom of the seventh inning. But it was not to be for the Madang girls.
The winning play was by Nadia Bais who tagged out a running Kuveu trying to steal to third base. Bears picked up K7,000 in prize money while Rovers won K5,000. In the third and fourth playoff, Titans thrashed Pirates 10-1. Titans won K2,500 while Pirates settled for K1,500.