GOZO LOSE AGAINST NORTHENDERS IN EXHIBITION GAME

The Gozo Tornadoes failed to impress today, as they lost to the Mellieha Northenders in nine innings.  The game ended on a 23-18 score.  Both managers used this game to experiment, which cost both teams to score most of their runs.  Shaun Chircop belted two ground-rule doubles while Rodney Debono smacked a two-run single to right field.  Charles Attard also returned behind the plate, catching the last two innings.  Mark Buttigieg and Steven Galea shared four innings on the mound.

Next Tuesday, MABS will be holding a council meeting.  Meeting starts at 6pm, and will be held at the National Pool.  The 2004 schedule should be finalized by then.  

(Official GT Report - 25/10/03 - 18:06 GMT +01:00)

GOZO TORNADOES JIBQGHU CHAMPIONS TA' MALTA (jikteb Joe Bajada)

Jekk hemm sports li bla dubju qed jaghmel unur kbir lil gzira Ghawdxija, huwa dak tal-baseball fejn ghat-tielet sena konsekuttiva, dan it-tim Ghawdxi rebah il-kampjonat Malti, biex b'hekk baqghu jissejhu champions Nazzjonali.  Dan anke huwa rekord nazzjonali fejn l-ebda tim s'issa ma kien ghadu rebah il-kampjonat tliet darbiet wara xulxin.  Huwa bla dubju success impressjonanti li tim Ghawdxi jirnexxielu jibqa l-ahjar ghal tliet snin wara xulxin fil-gzejjer Maltin.  Dan jirrifletti s-serjeta u d-dedikazzjoni li jiehdu dan il-sports l-players zaghzagh li jiffurmaw dan it-tim.  Mhux ta' b'xejn li seba' players Ghawdxin jiffurmaw anke parti mit-tim Nazzjonali Malti.  Filfatt, ftit ilu, Charles Attard, Mark Buttigieg, Shaun Chircop, Steve Ellis, Steve Galea, Silvio Sultana u Jeff Tabone ffurmaw parti mit-tim li mar ghall-ewwel darba fl-istorja meta hadu sehem f'tournament kompetitiv fil-Belgju.  Dan jikkonferma l-potenzjal li jipposedu dawn il-players li ghad ilhom biss li ffurmaw it-tim Ghawdxi hames snin ilu.

Fil-kampjonat li ntemm gimghat ilu, Gozo Tornadoes immexxija mill-manager Dennis Roberts spiccaw champions wara li fil-finali rebhu lil Mellieha Northenders 2-1.  Kienu Mellieha li rebhu l-ewwel loghba 11-7, izda l-Ghawdxin ghamlu l-iskor indaqs meta rebhu t-tieni loghba 16-4.  GHalhekk l-ahhar loghba ta'bejniethom kienet deciza ghal minn jirbah il-kampjonat u hawn regghu kienu l-Ghawdxin li hargu rebbieh 8-6 wara rimonta qawwija li wettqu b'mod specjali Steven Galea li kiseb tliet runs decizivi u spicca l-protagonista ta' din il-finali u hekk Gozo Tornadoes baqghu champions nazzjonali ghat-tielet darba konsekuttiva.

Fl-impenn taghhom li jkomplu jiddefendu t-titlu, Gozo Tornadoes diga bdew it-tahrig taghhom ghat-tournament tax-xitwa li ser jibda f'Novembru u iktar tard ghal kampjonat li mistenni li jibda fi Frar.  Ghal l-istagun li gej, l-Ghawdxin komplew sahhew il-formazzjoni taghhom billi ser jergghu jirritornaw players stabbli bhal Silvio Sultana, Chuckie Tabone u Darren Fava.  Hemm ukoll zaghzagh promettenti bhal Rodney Debono u Matthew Xuereb li mistennija wkoll li jiffurmaw parti mit-tim ghall-istagun li gej.  Id-dirigenti ta'dan it-tim qed jistiednu lil dawk kollha dilettant li jixtiequ jissiehbu mat-tim biex jaghmlu kuntatt mal-coach Jeff Tabone 79204037, Steve Ellis 79849060 jew Charles Attard 79603482.  Wiehed jista anke jibghat e-mail fuq gozotornadoes@hotmail.com.  Biex waslu ghal dawn is-successi kollha, Gozo Tornadoes minbarra s-sagrificcji personali, sabu ghajnuna minn Dominic Department Stores li sponsorja lit-tim biex ikun jista jkompli ghaddej bl-impenji meta wiehed jiftakar ukoll li parti sostanzjali mill-loghbiet intlaghbu f'Malta.  Ghajnuna ohra giet mill-Maltese Canadian Association.  Kull minn jixtieq iktar informazzjoni fuq dan it-tim jista jaghmel dan billi jidhol fuq il-website www.gozobaseball.cjb.net.

(Joe Bajada (Chairman tal-Gozo Sports Board) - 25/10/03 - 18:18 GMT +01:00)

Back to club baseball, the Gozo Tornadoes will be hosting an exhibition game next Sunday against the Mellieha Northenders; runners-up of the 2003 National League.  The game will be held at Kercem Field, starting at noon.  This will be the first baseball game at Kercem Field, since the 2003 All-Star Game in December.  

The seven national team players are expected to excel through this game.  The return of Darren Fava, Silvio Sultana and Chuck Tabone is also something to watch out.  Prospects Rodney Debono and Matthew Xuereb are also expected to play.

EVERYBODY IS INVITED TO KERCEM FIELD NEXT SUNDAY AT NOON.  

(Official GT Report - 24/10/03 - 19:03 GMT +01:00)

Last Sunday, the Mellieha Northenders organised a triangular tournament at their training ground.  The 1980's Northenders and the Gozo/Gzira team were invited to participate in this tournament.  

Charles Attard, Silvio Sultana and Jeff Tabone played in the Mellieha Tournament, along with Patrick Pace, Trevor Shaw and other Gzira players.  Former Tornado, Ryan Yada, also participated last Sunday.  

The Melleha Northenders barely won against the Gozo/Gzira team in the final.  The trophy was presented by Ray Bartolo, former manager of the Northenders.  

(Official GT Report - 24/10/03 - 18:51 GMT +01:00)

Next week, the Gozo Tornadoes will face the Mellieha Northenders in an exhibition game at Kercem.  Both teams are expected to test their new acquisitions.  Gozo acquired Darren Fava, Silvio Sultana and Darren Fava while Mellieha got Antoine & Mario Debono, plus some former players.  

Charles Attard, Silvio Sultana and Jeff Tabone are also expected to play along with some Mustangs' players against the same Mellieha.  This game will be played later today.

(Official GT Report - 19/10/03 - 02:51AM GMT +01:00)

TORNADOES PREPARE FOR SIXTH SEASON

The Gozo Tornadoes started pre-season practice last weekend, for the sixth time in their history.  Although it's a different season, Gozo's objectives remain the same, that of winning the title.  Gozo are looking forward to extend their national record of consecutive title series, so far winning three in a row.

Although Dennis Roberts will not be along anymore, Gozo still remain top dogs of winning this year's pennant.  Captain Jeff Tabone, along with Steve Ellis and Charles Attard, will be taking care of the coaching this year.  Tabone has already had a short spell as the orange's manager while Attard has spent the last two seasons managing both the Junior and Minor Leaguers.

But Gozo is more concerned on the return of key players such as Silvio Sultana and Chuckie Tabone, who will bring up more competition for the Gozo outfielders.  Sultana's last appearance as a Gozo player has been in the Championship Series of 2001, while Chuck Tabone's last game was during the 2002 Winter Tournament.  Gozo also welcomes its original catcher back, Darren Fava, who will also try to earn a spot in the outfield.  Gozo has also promoted Rodney Debono, who is an incredible prospect for Gozo's infield.  Another youngster who will try his best is Matthew Xuereb.

Practices will be every Saturday at Kercem Field, starting at 2pm.  Everybody is invited to attend to these practices.  Whoever is interested in playing, coaching or even just being a member of the team, should contact the following people;

Charles Attard - 79603482

Steve Ellis - 79849060

Jeff Tabone - 79204037

(Official GT Report - 26/09/03)