The Newtown Sandy Hooks returned to the friendly confines of McLaughlin Vineyards after their terrible shellacking at the hands of the Ridgefield Nine over the Holiday weekend to meet the Simsbury Taverneers in a friendly game of stick and ball.

It was May '07 when the two clubs last met in a game of '1886' ball at Wahconah Park in Pittsfield yet little would be quite the same as both clubs got down to serious '1867' ball in the picture perfect grove by the banks of the Housatonic.

Unfortunately, the day was anything but picture perfect on the field as both clubs seemed to hurry through the task of returning to their 'honey-do' lists. The Hooks attack was led by Norwich who hit and pitched to near victory. Weiner and Silkowski performed admirably at the line while young legs made good use of their hitting prowess.

By the end of the morning of concerted boom-ball which include a five run inning for Newtown followed by an eight run inning by the Taverneers, the Taverneers had finally mastered 'the garden' and its surrounds (including an amazing last out play behind the petunia patch that snuffed-out a sure game tying bomb launched by Quinn), and by the stroke of noon were back on the highway with a win under their belts.

So much for the leisurely pace of vintage base ball.

It was a bitter defeat for the the Sandy Hooks who seemed to have a victory plucked from their grasp. Newcomer Tristan Toomey played outstandingly and the addition of 'Pud' Quinn back into the line-up helped reinvigorate the left side of the infield.

Next Sunday should be more entertaining as the less high-strung Bridgeport Orators travel to the Vineyard for a couple of matches. It should be a full day of base ball and well worth a visit to the ball yard.

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