Itchen Knicks - Firstball 2008

According to Wikipedia, a hat-trick in sports is associated with succeeding at anything three times in three consecutive attempts.

Alternatively ... any remarkable feat, usually one consisting of three separate but related achievements

They're not wrong !!

Q. What do April 06, April 07 and April08 have in common ??

A. They all see the Knicks winning the Solent Softball League Firstball Trophy

Opening with a draw against the Mariners (3-3), then a loss to the Beachcombers (2-6), and a win against the Sluggers, the Knicks then did just enough against the Chichester Mets to finish second in their group ahead of the Mariners on run difference.

A mighty fine come from behind performance saw a sneaked Cup Semi-Final win over the Dodgers (8-7) - always somehow manage to beat them at the Firstball, but this was extra special with 2 runs at the top of the last inning and shutouts at the end when it was needed.

That, if the form book was to be believed, should have set up a rematch against the Beachcombers (who the Knicks beat in the 07 final), but the Hursley team had not read the script. As a result it was a match up of the old allies - Knicks and Hurricanes.

A great first inning was enough in the end, as the Knicks jumped out to a 9-run lead. Despite a few scares as the Hurricanes refused to go down in the bottom of the last, the Knicks held on to win once again.