Road warriors eye flag win

Weekly 100km round-trips have paid off for Busselton’s young softball stars as the under-13 team heads into its first grand final this Saturday.

The young team plays for the Bunbury-based Tigers Softball Club and treks north from Busselton every Saturday to compete.

Despite the lengthy travel times, coach Terry Boliver said it was the most effective way to ensure the players were progressing.

“These kids were still playing T-ball at this age in Busselton and I just didn’t want to hold them back anymore,” he said.

Last year was the team’s first season competing in Bunbury, during which they finished on top of the ladder.

However, the competition did not have an official grand final, making this weekend’s game their first.

“They haven’t technically had a final before, so it’ll be interesting to see if the pressure gets to them — they deserve to win though,” Boliver said.

“Two seasons in a row on top of the ladder, so they’re pretty much the team up in Bunbury that everyone’s worried about.”

On what made the team so successful, Boliver said it came down to skill.

“Everyone knows how to throw and bat but these guys seem to know the game better,” he said.

“And most of their parents play, so that probably helps.”

The team will play at Glen Huon Reserve in Eaton from 10am on Saturday.