Lamb steps up to the plate on roasting day at Disco Ball

The Milton Keynes Diamonds enjoyed their annual day out at Disco Ball after a solid showing at Farnham Park. The tournament gives D and C grade teams the chance to play on the Farnham Park dirt pitches usually reserved for A grade.

Team name of the day went to our first opponents, Saturday Knight Beavers. They started with some impressive moves but Diamonds’ pitcher James Bradley kept the runs down well to help the Diamonds to 12-15 win. The Diamonds had several new tournament players in action and one of these, Jules Peck, had a great hit and nice tag on third to start the day. Steve Lamb’s grand slam was the play of the game as the Beavers were left chewing over what might’ve been.

Next up was a tough game against Bat to the Future. Paul Severn broke the all-time softball record for staying in the batter’s box after a hit, but his long legs still helped him to get to second after he realised it hadn’t gone foul. However, a triple play meant the Diamonds were always playing catch up, despite some good hitting from Laura Wicks, Chris Flynn, Kimberley Angell and Steve Lamb.

In the next game the Raiders jumped to a 7-0 lead but the Diamonds weren’t finished yet. Beth Peters showed the dedication required by sliding spectacularly into third – not surprising from someone who did the same at her birthday rounders game. An amazing three home runs from Steve Lamb got the score back to 7-7, but the Diamonds were defensively solid too with Kass Carry doing well on first and star man Steve making two nice catches.

This left it all in the hands of captain and chairman Hedley Bevan to bring home the bacon and seal a famous win. He grounded back to the pitcher.

Fortunately Chris Flynn’s hit scored Laura Wicks (minus cap which kept flying off all day) and a famous 9-7 comeback was completed.

This put the Diamonds in second place and contesting the Boogie Trophy. As the temperature kept rising, we faced Disco Inferno. Yolanda Potter impressed with some great fielding and there was some excellent hits from James Bradley, but Disco Inferno ran out 15-5 winners to boogie on into the final.

At this point in the day, energy levels were low and a suggestion of a box drill before the final match fell on deaf ears. There was some entertainment in the photographic department with Hedley claiming the title of Death Stare of the Year. Entries are now closed.

The third place play off saw Game of Throws triumph 14-6 over the Diamonds. The highlight was a brilliant tag by Yolanda Potter on homeplate to save a homerun.

The Diamonds finished a respectable eighth out of 16 and returned home chargrilled, but having had a lot of fun. Well done to all the first-time players – a great day out and great experience.