Here are the chronicles for our game agains the Council Gritters We pulled out all the cards on unsuspecting colleagues and almost got an HBoS team! Those Cadets were:

• Louise S (1st base)
• Jonathan D (centre field)
• Karen (catcher)
• Graham (short stop)
• Alison (third)
• Kenny (left field)
• Niall (2nd base)
• Louise J (right field)
• Alistair (ringer from the MoreNuts for the evening)

Yes, only 9 again and we had to beg a pitcher from another team. Regardless, we were sure we could pull off another amazing night.

We didn't start well though, out in the field with the big hitting Gritters getting two round before Alison became a wall at 3rd - none shall pass! She was mighty and stood up to the charging Gritter for a great tag. Two outs at first followed but not before we were 5 runs down.

We were full of hope for our batting though - especially as Louise had been to the softball coaching day. Despite this, she didn't quite manage to 1st. Neither did Jonathan (though he's forgiven for it being his first try). I'm not, as I was too busy watching short-stop drop the ball to run to first, so was also out. Don't watch the ball - listen to your base coach! 5-0. Oops!

Into the second and we had a great start with Kenny catching a high ball to the outfield. Gritters got another few round before Graham ran in from short stop to get an out at 2nd and Louise took an out at 1st. Gritters were 9 runs to the good. But they were soon to get a look at our jammiest runner. A low hit between 1st and 2nd should have been an easy 1 base hit, but Graham wasn't satisfied with that and when the ball got passed back to 1st base, he kept going to 2nd. The Gritters were so surprised that they were slow in sending the ball after him, so he kept going to 3rd! They were wise to him this time and the ball went to home before he could keep going, so just a 3 base hit! While Alison was heading to first, Graham came loping home. Niall struck out, but Louise J made it easily to first, though Alison was then out on 2nd. Alistair also made it to first, but as Louise J was then out on 2nd, we had only managed 1 run. 9-1 wasn't looking good.

We moved with trepidation into the third. We did have three solid outs at first to see us through, but not before the Gritters had pushed round another 5 (3 of them on a glorious home run that I think we lost Jonathan for 5 minutes as he and Louise J went running after the ball for miles and miles and miles.....). When they eventually got back, we were in to bat but started with out Auto out. Louise S was out at first again, but we pushed more people round, including a shouting match at Jonathan (stay on the base until the Umpire says you are out. Don't believe the other team) and a gratuitous slide (fall) by me into third. Turns out I'm not as well padded as I thought I was. We managed two home before Niall was out at 1st but 14-3 at the start of the 4th - we were pulling things back!

4th innings saw a lovely catch by Jonathan and outs at 2 and 1 but they weren't enough to stop the rampaging Gritters take 7 home. Up to bat and Louise J hit a lovely clean ball over 2nd but short stop was mopping up and took the catch. We then suffered from out Auto out again before Louise S struck out and we hadn't scored any more runs. It was 21-3, we had only just made it to the 5th.

Another home run by the Gritters saw them take 6 home in total this innings but they were stopped (eventually) by 2 outs at 1st and a tag by Niall at 2nd. We were 27-3 down and needed at least 5 runs to keep the game going. Myself and Graham made it round and Alison soon followed us. Kenny made a totally gratuitous slide into home to take us to 4 runs. But a fly ball by Alistair had him out and the Gritters were fast enough to make the triple play taking Niall out as he headed back to 2nd and Louise J out as she tried to get back to 1st.

And that was it - mercy rule applied and we went to the bar. Not our most glorious hour but good banter with the Gritters and a nice pint to follow. Thanks to all the rookies and ringers for the evening. Much appreciated and I hope you had a good time too despite the score. Remember, it's more fun when we are winning, so come along again!