16 Jul 2019

Bears ladies’ and BDF IX men’s softball teams are this year Selebi Phikwe Extravaganza Softball Tournament champions, walking away with a whooping P40 000 each.

Bears, which won the tournament more than four times since its inception 11 years ago, trounced their rivals, Panthers two goals to one in a fiercely contested game, which saw Panthers pocketing the second prize money of P30 000.

Police, which finished third, pocketed P25 000.

Before meeting in the final game, Bears and Panthers with players from the national softball team, also locked horns in their first game where the Panthers beat Bears two goals to nil.

Bears brought in the national team material in the likes of Keabetswe Mhotsha, Tshepo Letsholo, Winani Sekani and Gaone Monyatsi while Panthers on the other hand boasted of the likes of Goitseone Monyazwe, Lorato Ntsholetsang and Kagiso Lowang.

Panthers coach Tony Moyo accepted defeat saying that Bears gave them a serious competition and could not match their betting and pitching skills.

He said they expected to win the game especially that they beat Bears in the first game but Bears came in strong and changed their play.

He said the players impatiently wanted to change the game resulting in them displaying poor performance.

However, he was impressed that the team managed to reach the finals.

Reaching the finals, he said was a tremendous achievement. Bears coach Simon Jantse was equally impressed by the team’s performance saying that Bears managed to win all the games except one where they suffered a defeat from Panthers.

He said they employed all the tactics to win against their rival Panthers.

Jantse said winning the game was not easy as Panthers had a good pitcher and some experienced players who featured in the softball national team.

“We went back to re-group. We corrected our mistakes and came out very strongly hence we won the game,” he said.

Bears lifted the extravaganza trophy in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2019.

“We are the only team that has won this tournament more than any other team,” he said.

Meanwhile, Bears player Tshepo Letsholo scooped the Slugger and Most Valuable Player Awards and P8 000.

Carats player Balekile Tomeletso scooped the Best Outfield Player award walking home with P7 000.

In the male category, Police IX suffered an utter defeat from BDF IX with five goals to nil in a fiercely contested final game.

BDF’s Unaswi Gudu snatched the Most Valuable Player award, walking home with P1 000, while Police IX’s Kaone Selate scooped the Slugger award pocketing P7 000.

Rebels, which was knocked out by BDF IX in the semi-finals finished on third position scooping the bronze medal and P25 000 as well as the Best Outfield Player award won by Mothusi Tefo.

The defending champions, Wells finished on fifth position while the hosts, Comets finished last on eighth position. Ends