Alice Diary - Day 3
Day 3 - Hi Ho Silver
"Breakfast at Toddy's" was hosted by Frogg, Banka and Compo. Spita-Bull, who has become quite protective of the cooking tools, elbowed AJ out of the way and produced a fine breakfast for all the boys.
There was a fair bit of nervous energy around the boys today because today is game one, against the Cubby's. The boys are hoping for an impressive showing. The starting line up know who they are and the nerves are starting to show.
Bruce "Vino" Gordon (who is in the starting line up) is swimming in his first event today, the 50m breaststroke. Several of the boys suggest that they will go and watch Vino and supply motivation by showing up with harpoons.
The herd headed to the ground at 10:00am. The warm was well underway when the Bulls first injury was inflicted; Frogg took one to the face, during batting practice (silly bunt) thanks to a Unpredica curve. Warm up completed, Watta- Bull gathered the herd and burnt the game one 2006 line-up. The line was announced. Two rookies got a start and were warmly congratulated by all. Vino looked composed and ready to go, AJ had to find ways to get rid of his nervous energy.
The Bulls batted first with Banka leading off. He hit a magnificent fly ball, to right field, hitting the fence for a stand up double. Inkura-bull came up second and was walked to first. Consta-bull batting 3rd advanced the runners with a sacrifice to 2nd. Networka put bat on ball and hit it about as far a bunt. Untame-bull batting 5th stepped up with a line drive through short that scored Banka and Inkura. Zulu flied out to right.
Middle of the first dig, Bulls 2-0 up!
Bottom of the first was an interesting dig. Wild pitches and walks moving the Cubs around the bases. Untama-bull K'd the fifth batter, walked the next two before Vino came up with a magnificent play at first. He dived full length, gathering the ball mid flight, landed (creating a new tourist attraction - Vino Gorge), rolled over and tossed the ball to Untama (who had, upon the crack of the bat, raced to first) to make the out. The 9th batter produced an in field looping line drive, that Untama caught.
End of the 1st, Cubs up 5-2.
The Bulls need to bat to get back into the game. Vino led off with a stand up single to left. Accounta stepped up and hit into a 5-4-3 double play. Erecta hit into a regulation 4-3. Inning over.
Middle of the 2nd, Cubs up 5-2.
Bottom of the second Untama gave two hits and two walks. Watta walked to the mound demanded the ball and tapped the left arm. Unpredicta bounced out of the dugout like a "ten year old on red cordial". With his usual energy levels Bish, k'd the first batter, walked the second on a dodgy call and was well backed up by the field for the last two.
End of the 2nd, Cubs up 8-2.
The top of the 3rd and the top of our line up is up. Banka hit into a 4-3 and Inkura flied it to left. Consta singled to centre. Networka hit to third who threw wild allowing Consta and Networka to advance safely. Unpredicta, still showing the effects of red cordial, hit a line drive to centre to score Consta. Zulu looked like he was going to hit the ball out of Alice, with a couple of excellent swings, unfortunately he did not connect and was k'd.
Middle of the 3rd, Cubs up 8-3.
Bottom of the 3rd the wheels fell off everywhere. A couple of Fum-Bull hats were awarded, congratulations Inkura and Erecta. We managed to get out of the innings only giving up 5 runs.
End of the 3rd, Cubs up 13-3.
Top of the 4th, the Bulls are looking at a mercy rule loss. We need to bat to stay in the game. Vino flied out to centre (at Mitcham it would have been over the fence), but at Treager Park he was out to a very good catch. Accounta had a very good bat. He faced about 40 pitches eventually being walked (then advanced on a wild pitch). Milburn worked hard in the batters box, protecting the plate and eventually hitting the ball sweetly down the throat of centre field. Banka, stepped up for his 3rd plate appearance and flied out in foul territory where 1st took the catch to end the game.
Bulls went down 13-3.
In the post match press conference, Coach Watts noted that "Untama didn't put anyone in hospital but his radar was not tuned in" and that "there is a vacancy for a team psychologist".
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | R | H | E | |
| Bulls | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | - | - | 3 | 5 | 2 |
| Cubs | 5 | 5 | 3 | x | - | - | 13 | 7 | 1 |
The bulls dispersed after the game in many directions, Vino to the pool, Ger-bull to the netball and a small group to the hockey in search of better food.
A certain squad member noticed that there were a couple of omissions from the "Ala pring" White Pages and decided to stalk a gathering of potential candidates. It was fascinating observing the strategy employed. The unnamed bull would circle the pack of candidates waiting for the weakest member to be isolated, than pounce! Readers can rest assured that no-one was harmed during the evening.
Just on dusk, Vino returned to the herd, to much applause and cheering. Vino won silver in his swimming event. Coach Watts was fascinated by the small silver disk hanging around Vino's neck. Apparently he has heard much about these medals but never seen or touched one………HI HO SILVER !!!!!
The Bulls settled into their usual bull ring to discuss the events of the day and plan the next. Some bulls left the bull ring in search of food, others remained at the ring consuming what they considered food. One bull was kidnapped by a sports car driving squash player, who then abandoned him at the casino.
Coach Watts at the end of the evening declared that Monday and, in fact, all subsequent days would be alcohol free until we win. It took him ten minutes to crawl out from the pile of bottles and cans that enveloped after this statement.
Stay tuned for more Alice News...
