Bring yourself up to date with everything from the National Championships in our Daily Wrap.

Summary: Over 35 Women

With just their second win of the tournament, Victoria progressed through to the preliminary final after defeating the higher ranked ACT in the minor semi-final. The Big V offence was firing throughout the game, scoring at least two runs in each of their first four innings to set up the 9-1 win. Jessica Chomley led from the top of the line-up for Victoria with three runs and two hits, while Andrea Wells and Niki Benbow also both had two RBIs.

New South Wales were the first team to book their place in the Championship decider, after fighting their way to a 5-1 win over Queensland in the major semi-final. The game appeared in the balance until the top of the 6^th inning, when the Blues rounded four runners punctuated by a two-run homer by Sue Fairhurst. The Olympian also pitched a fantastic game, conceding just one run while taking 11 strikeouts in the win.

The upset of the tournament loomed through the first six innings of the Preliminary Final, with a plucky Victoria taking it right up to Queensland. The Big V caught the home team napping, scoring three unanswered runs through the first two innings, while Shannon Downing kept the heat on from the pitching circle, conceding just one run over six innings. However, some critical fielding errors allowed the Maroons to get on top in the 7^th inning, adding five runs and holding on for a 6-3 win.

New South Wales are the inaugural Over 35 Women’s National Champions after posting a comprehensive 8-0 win over Queensland in the tournament decider. Grand Final MVP Sue Fairhurst dominated from the pitching circle, giving up just one hit and two walks while taking eight strikeouts and shutting out the Maroons’ hitters. The Blues also had the required firepower on offence, scoring seven runs in the 2^nd inning before adding another in the 3^rd. Queensland fought valiantly in defeat, but were prevented from generating any momentum thanks to the Blues defence.

Day 4 Results:

1^st vs 2^nd: NSW 5 def QLD 1

3^rd vs 4^th: VIC 9 def ACT 1

Preliminary Final: QLD 6 def VIC 3

Grand Final: NSW 8 def QLD 0

Most Valuable Player: Christine McSavaney (ACT)

Best Batter Award: Sue Fairhurst (NSW)

Best Pitcher Award: Sandra Holden (QLD)

Grand Final MVP: Sue Fairhurst (NSW)

For the complete schedule, please click here.

For complete standings, please click here.

For completed game reports, please click here.

Summary: Over 35s Men

Two home runs in the 1^st inning followed by seven runs in the 2^nd set up ACT’s 11-4 win over NSW Invitational in the minor semi-final. The composite team did themselves no favours in the 2^nd inning, conceding an error, a walk, and four wild pitches, while ACT kept the runners moving with five singles and a double. No less than seven batters registered hits for the ACT, led by Daryl Duke with three runs, two hits, and three RBIs.

Queensland signalled their intent early in the major semi-final, scoring four times in the opening frame. New South Wales responded with a two-run James Darby homer in the bottom half of the inning, but could only add one further run for the rest of the game, with the host state going on to a 10-3 win and a place in the Championship decider. Luke Vandegriendt’s good form continued for Queensland with three runs, two hits, and an RBI, while David Metekingi and Bernard Cox both batted in two runners.

ACT were on the back foot right from the start of the Preliminary Final after New South Wales scored four runs in the top of the first innings. Blues’ pitcher James Darby kept it that way for the remainder of the game, shutting out the ACT batters with nine strikeouts on the way to a 7-0 win. Darby was also dangerous with the bat, scoring a run and two RBIs on offence, and leading the NSW into the final against Queensland.

New South Wales have triumphed over Queensland in a classic grand final to claim the inaugural Over 35 Men’s National Championship. The teams traded blows through the first six innings, with Queensland barely ahead 2-1 going into the 7^th inning. A two-run home to grand final MVP Jamie Sheehan put the Blues in front, only for Scott Watson to answer for the Maroons with another homer to force the game into extra innings. NSW scored then twice in the 8^th thanks in part to a David Borg home run, but Queensland immediately answered with two runs of their own. The Blues squeezed out another run in the 9^th, and Queensland looked to have won the game on a two-run double that was called foul, only for NSW to keep the home team scoreless and hold on for the win.

Day 4 Results:

1^st vs 2^nd: QLD 10 def NSW 3

3^rd vs 4^th: ACT 11 def NSW Inv 4

Preliminary Final: NSW 7 def ACT 0

Grand Final: NSW 6 def QLD 5

Most Valuable Player: Jamie Sheehan (NSW)

Best Batter Award: Bernard Cox (QLD)

Best Pitcher Award: James Darby (NSW)

Grand Final MVP: Jamie Sheehan (NSW)

For the complete schedule, please click here.

For complete standings, please click here.

For completed game reports, please click here.

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