BDF IX cruise in softball qualifiers
Koketso Kgoboge | Thursday March 24, 2016 12:35
The top 12 teams in the men’s and the top 10 teams in the women section were divided into two pools with six men and five women’s in each bracket.
Teams in Pool A met in Jwaneng with Wells, Comets, Rail Giants and Gatalamotho progressing to the top eight while Police IX, BDF IX, Rail Giants and Panthers emerged from the women’s section.
Bracket B teams took to the mound last weekend in Selebi-Phikwe where last season’s winners BDF IX were pitted against Bears, Police 1X, Panthers, Rebels and Orapa Carats. In the women’s side, Wells continued their title defence against Bears, Dinare, Motlakase and the hosts, Phikwe Comets.
Former champions, BDF IX were unscathed and finished first in Bracket B. In their opening game, they beat Panthers 7-0 before they marginally escaped with a 1-0 in a tough encounter against Rebels.
They won the last two games against Carats and Bears with the similar score line of 7-0. BDF IX manager, Motlhatlosi Maino said they are on course to defending their title.
“We are taking a short break over holidays to refresh and then we will start our preparations. Our biggest opponent as always remains Wells, they have come out blazing this season and we know we are going to have it tough at the finals,” he said.
“However we are not underestimating any of our opponents, we have learnt a lot in our 1-0 win against Rebels it was a very tough encounter and as we go forward we know it will get tougher,” he added. Carats, Police 1X and Bears took the last three berths in the men’s top 8 finals. Wells, Bears, Dinare and Comets qualified from the women’s teams. Wells dominated in the women’s section despite losing their last game 2-1 to Bears. Their manager Batsetswe Gontlafetswe said the loss was a devised plan.
“Bears is a strong team and we could have still lost the game, so as a strategy to open up channels to the final we fielded a second string side so that we place ourselves in a better group in the top eight,” he said.
“We play against the northern team in many games and they know our game so we are trying to avoid them now, it is best we meet them in the finals.”