Angels (back from left) Lauren Evans, Coby Bialis, Tarryn Phillips, Sam Cauldwell and coach Tony Black. Front: Casey Shaw, Jess Marsh, Britt Cunningham, Bree Wanke, Tabitha Williams and Steph Marsh. Pictures: Mike Richards.Coby Bialis, Jess Marsh and Lauren Evans are ready to fly to Adelaide to contest the Labour Day junior tournament.By Glen Atwell
THERE were definitely angels in the outfield this season for the Dandenong Softball Association’s newest club.
In their first crack at the real thing, the South Eastern Angels won the winter C grade open women’s premiership at Fawkner Park in Melbourne on Sunday.
And now the team is winging its way to Adelaide.
The next adventure for the Angels is competing in the Adelaide Labour Day junior tournament next month.
An under 16 and an under 19 team will travel to the city of churches, both hopeful of returning with silverware.
The newest batch of Angels in the association entered teams into the A grade and C grade women’s competitions, with both teams making it to the finals.
However, the A grade side was eliminated in the semi-finals, leaving the C grade outfit to carry the hopes of the club.
As if by fate, the C grade team went on to win the premiership.
Captain Jess Marsh said her side played many women with more experience during the season.
“Because it was an open competition, people a lot older than us were playing,” she said.
“But we just had a positive attitude.”
Playing for fun was the key to success, according to Marsh.
“We went out there with no expectations and just enjoyed ourselves,” she said.
The C grade premiers, aged from 12 to 17, played beyond their years in the open age competition with only two losses for the season.
Coach Tony Black was hailed a hero by Marsh.
“Tony was a great coach. He never yelled at us, that was the best,” she said.
The Angels will now compete in the local Dandenong Softball Association’s summer competition, with both junior and senior teams.
The Angels Softball Club is seeking players of all ages for the summer season.
Anyone interested in playing can contact the Angels or attend the Dandenong softball grounds on Brady Road, North Dandenong, on any Saturday.
More information can be found at www.dandenong.softball.org.au
