As a newcomer to the sport of co-ed
softball HSBC had a lot of obstacles. Based on their recent performances the
side is more than ready to swing for the fences.
Team HSBC capped off an amazing
post-season run with the C league crown. HSBC beat the PriceWaterhouseCoopers
Scorpions last Wednesday at the Field of Dreams facility in George Town. The
championship match was one of three in the 2010 Fall Adult Co-ed Softball
League, put on by the Cayman Islands Little League.
Leading the rookie club to victory
was team captain Jefferson Pouchie. The assistant manager of the electronic
banking and IT department made a number of great catches in the field and held
his own with the bat. Pouchie, 37, is actually no stranger to the sport with a
lengthy commitment to the local little league. The Savannah, Newlands resident
states it felt great to win.
“I am originally from the island of
Roatan in Honduras but have lived in Cayman from 1984,” Pouchie said. “This is
my first year playing co-ed but I have been coaching fast pitch baseball for
over 12 years. I have two sons in the Little League program and I also serve on
the Little League board of directors.
“It feels great (to be champs). I
am really proud of all the players. They showed up to every game and had fun
whether we lost or won.”
The Scorpions were huge favourites
heading into the match. They won the regular season crown at 10-2 and produced
their first winning season after two straight years without a victory. Prior to
beating the Scorpions, HSBC defeated Electratech Pure Energy; who finished behind
the Scorpions in the regular season standings with seven wins. By contrast HSBC
had just three wins this season.
Then again HSBC always had athletic
talent. The bankers boast a number of sports people such as East End stalwart
Vernie Watler-Harris and racer Ajoni Ambersley. Pouchie credits the team’s
success to a humble attitude and a host of unsung heroes.
“Before the season we were
expecting to just have fun, work together as a team and just be competitive win
or lose. My vice-captain Marius Gaina did a wonderful job organizing the team.
We had a few stand-outs like Justin Miller, Troy Whittaker, Connan Hill, Shaun
Geils, Trisha Powell, Jessica Thomas and Steve Park just to name a few. But on
the whole, all of the team showed tremendous improvement in play from the first
game to the championship game.
“I would just like to add that we
thank HSBC for sponsoring the team and for supplying us with all equipment that
was needed (to get to this point).”
PWC captain Johan Bruwer and wife
Nicolene Bruwer (who also plays on the team) stated in passing that in spite of
the loss they feel proud of their efforts this year.
“It was an honour to go onto the
field on Wednesday,” the Bruwers said. “We knew that our original team members,
who are now scattered around the world, were cheering us on. Obviously we feel
sad that we lost though HSBC did well with a great bunch of players.
“It has been a great season. The great
thing about co-ed softball is the new people you meet and make friends with.”
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