Flying Falcons dodge a Portsmouth defeat

Batting first, the Falcons immediately pounded eight runs into the Dodgers defence, a grand slam from left fielder Matt Tebb ending the first innings in style.

Pitcher James Wheeler then had the Portsmouth batters huffing and puffing in blustery conditions, with their infield hits dealt with capably by David Morris and seven-time-MVP Yuka Wada at second and first respectively.

The onslaught continued through the early innings with Pete Martin, Louise Rowe and Lucy Morris all reaching base comfortably, but the Falcons’ defence proved too much for the Dodgers as Ben Sawkins and Emma Brown clinically closed down any threat to left field with pinpoint throws to base.

Right fielder Ally Warr had to work hard to run down and catch a high looping flyball to keep the scoresheet clear, with the Dodgers failing to progress past second base for the entire game.

Stefan Panayotopoulos came on in the fifth to add to the Dodgers’ woe by slamming a line drive to centre field, scoring two RBIs to end the game and invoke the mercy rule with the final score set at 24-0.

Anyone who wants to try softball and join the Falcons should email [email protected] or visit www.chichesterfalcons.co.uk

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking sports news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be among the first to know what’s going on.

1 Make this website your homepage

2 Like our Facebook page at facebook.com/pages/Sport-Sussex

3 Follow us on Twitter @SportSussex

4 Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!