PLK ZOMBIES remain Brunei National Softball tournament champions after winning Sunday night's final against Black Arrows 11-0 in a one-sided match.
Last year's winners retained their crown during the championship match at the Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien field here in convincing style, taking an early lead and maintaining it as the game progressed.
Growing in confidence after the first three innings which finished 6-0 to the good, PLK Zombies' good defensive work meant that Blacks Arrows could not make any runs.
The scoreline came as a surprise to most, not least the winning team's coach Mahdani Yaakub.
"I did not think it (the scoreline) would be like this and I was expecting a tight game," said Mahdani, who is also the team's pitcher.
"We won today (Sunday) because of our discipline, the willingness of everyone on the pitch to follow instructions and our good teamwork.
"I am happy we were able to shut them out and we managed to do that by maintaining our confidence and focus when we had the lead," he added.
Apart from winning last year's title and the one this year, PLK Zombies' recent achievements include finishing as runners-up during last year's President Cup tournament.
The battle for third saw Wanderers beat Black Arrows II 21-5 in their match for bronze held before the championship game.
Meanwhile, in the women's competition, Chikaras were crowned champions after going past Divas 7-0.
The Minister of Home Affairs Pehin Dato Paduka Hj Adnan Hj Hanafiah was the guest of honour at the event and presented the prizes to the winners.
Arguably the biggest and most anticipated tournament in the country, the Brunei National Softball tournament has been held for the past two years in conjunction with His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam's birthday celebrations.
Ten men's teams and six women's teams took part in this year's edition of the competition.
By:
Jason Thomas
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
The Brunei Times