Darier Malone copped a 5 run 2nd inning for the Pythons with an infield Homer on the way to a 3-0 Championship series sweep over the Hawks on Sunday July 29, 2012. Photo: Charlie Jackson/VINO

Thea Cooke earned the win with good variation and control in her first season on the Pythons Pitching rotation. Photo: Chrlie Jackson/VINO

The victorious two time unbeaten Champions, Terry Chinnery's, the Pythons! Photo: Charlie Jackson/ VINO

Wild Pythons have no fangs and no venom making them ideal to dance with, but unlike their arboreal counterparts, Terry Chinnery’s team will smile sweetly, lull you into a false sense of security and then bite you hard when you least expect it!

Although, if you go by Kennisha Powell’s victory celebration, they at least have dancing in common.

And so it was in what turned out to be the final game of the Championship Series when a relatively calm and sedate opening exchange saw a slender first inning lead of 2-1 turn into a 7-1 advantage for the Pythons by the end of the 2nd and a 13-2 final score under the Mercy Rule by the bottom of the 4th.

Thea Cooke was awarded the win and pitched solidly throughout the series, improving her control and variation with every appearance on the mound although she did give up the game’s opening score on a sacrifice fly from Eleta Parker which brought home Michelle Georges. Quick to make amends, she then struck out Renee Hodge to end the inning.

Sheniqua “Bam Bam” Fahie then got the Pythons going with a leadoff triple down right field before Jelissa “Shelly” Potter singled to right field, bringing home Fahie and recording herself an RBI. Dareah “Ace” Malone allowed Potter to move round to third during her at bat before being short attempting to reach first. Ivy Cameron-Fahie then bunted to bring home Potter for the go ahead score.

A superb double play saw the end of Cameron Fahie at second and Khyra Powell at first to close the inning, but the Hawks would soon succumb to the Bunting tactic employed by Chinnery, one which had worked so well in last year’s Championship win over the Crushers.

The Hawks 2nd inning closed in a blink of an eye and then came the venomous side of the Pythons with no less than 8 batters combining for five runs including the infield Homer from Malone.

Bria Smith singled, Kennisha “Ken Pow” Powell followed with a single of her own as Smith advanced to score the 3rd run.

Cooke bunted, made first and Powell reached home on an error to make it 4. A wild pitch allowed Cooke to reach 2nd and then Denecia Hodge bunted and safely got to 1st base sending Cooke to 3rd and bringing “Bam Bam” to the plate.

She was out, but not until Cooke made it home to make it 5-1. Potter popped up for out number two and Malone smacked one to the centre right field scoring a home run and also bringing in Hodge to make it 7-1.

The 3rd inning passed more sedately with the Pythons adding one to the score, courtesy of a Khyra Powell triple, thanks to two errors and J’heane Niles electing to throw Smith out at 1st rather than an attempted tag of Powell to stop her scoring. Niles was probably still contemplating her misfortune having been given out for leaving 2nd base too early during the Hawks at bat.

The 4th inning and what turned out to be the last, at least saw the Hawks back on the scoreboard even if it was in somewhat confusing circumstances.

Renee Hodge popped straight up to be caught by “Bam Bam”, then Shaeda Christopher was walked before Khiayah Doward reached 1st. Christopher was superbly beaten by a combination of Potter and Smith to be out at second and then Wattley drove one down the left field line which alluded the efforts of both Potter and Malone to catch it before bouncing beyond the foul line. The Umpire saw it different and ruled it fair as Doward came home with the fielders convinced otherwise.

With the score at 8-2, the Pythons resumed their bunting tactic to move players around the bases. After Hodge was out, “Bam Bam” doubled with her bunt via a fielder’s error, Potter bunted to reach 1st, Malone had a go at bunting, but then resumed her usual game , slapping one to centre field to bring home “Bam Bam”. Fahie Cameron brought home Potter, Powell tripled on an error, Smith bunted to 1st and then “Ken Pow” got the party started with a single to bring in both Powell and Smith and the game was done.

As Terry Chinnery put the lid back on the Pythons basket for another season, the rumour mill had already started as to whether they will ever get beaten. Word is they may face their toughest challenge yet in 2013 as they may split up with some of the players joining the ESHS Rams.

Whatever the future holds, the Pythons of 2011 and 2012 fully deserve their place in VI Softball history.