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Giants took third Vasey Giants struck for a pair of fifth inning tallies to nip Vasey Seniors 3-2 in game three of the Simcoe Rural Fastball League Championship final Series. With the win, Giants take a 2-1 series lead. Keith Ball gave the Seniors a 1-0 lead in the se- cond when he drew a one out walk and advanced to second when Jim Mills reached first on an error to the second baseman. Bruce Guthrie delivered Ball with a sharp base hit. Seniors threatened to blow the game open in the third inning when Brent Gordon was hit by a Steve Tumber pitch opening the frame. Ken Edgar followed with a base on balls before an infield fly, a fly to center and a ground ball back to the pitcher snuffed the rally. The Giants opened the bottom of the second with a single off the bat of Steve Searle. Ian Dundas follow- ed with a ground ball to third. A quick throw to se- cond erased Searle but Dundas was safe on first. Kevin Hamilton followed with a base hit sending Dundas to third. A double steal was instituted with Hamilton eluding the tag but Dundas was snuffed at the plate on a perfect throw from Bruce Guthrie at se- cond. Hamilton got as far as third on a passed ball, but was left stranded as Ken Hamilton popped to Guthrie. The tieing run was counted in the fourth on a throwing error by the cat- cher Brent Gordon allow- ing Searle to cross the plate. Giants added insurance runs in the fifth with Rick Nigro reaching on a free pass with one out and ad- vancing on Brian Roy's base hit. Both runners scored on Ed Moriarty's triple. The inning came to a quick end, however, as Moriarty was erased at- tempting to score and Don Foxall went down on strikes. Brent McLean, in relief of brother Rob, retired six of the next seven batters, but his teammates were unable to mount an offensive. Steve Tumber wasn't quite as sharp as in the opening contest, won by the Giants 6-0, but he con- tinually pitched hmself out of two on and one out or none out jams. Tumber coughed up one run on just three base hits, walked five and struck out four leaving eight base run- ners stranded. The McLeans combined for a four hitter, allowing three runs, walking three and fanning eight. -fhrough_The Lens------ Howard guest at Ottawa reception by David Gravelle You won't believe what Russ Howard and I, your "fearless" reporter, did last Thursday. We put our lives, and our stomachs too, into the hands of the guys at the Huronia Air- port to take us to Ottawa and back. By the way, they did a great job. Thanks. Russ was asked to attend a news conference in Ot- tawa to help promote the 1988 Ontario Tankard and Labatt Brier which will be held in Nepean and Chicoutimi-Jonquiere, Quebec respectively. Russ had to get his mom and dad to run the Pro Shop at Brooklea so he could make the trip. I hop- ped along for the ride. The two hour plane ride to Ottawa was amazing. The in-flight movie aboard our single prop craft was "Ontario's Fall Colors." What a show. It was amazing to see the world spread out from four thousand feet. All the fall colors and seemingly perfectly manicured fields, the lakes and bays and the Howard in flight Midland's Russ Howard took to the air- ways last week in a trip to the nation's capital to promote the Ontario Tankard and Labatt's Brier. While in Ottawa, Russ {blue sky made for a breathtaking trip. At this time of year, as the leaves slowly take on an auburn flair, - the view from mother earth is great. From the air, it's undescribeable. We were in awe on the trip to the Nation's Capital and return. The media reception kicked off the Ontario Tankard which will be held at the Nepean Sports plex, February 9-14, 1988. (I'll have more information on how to get tickets in a future column.) As you probably know, our World Champion has a bye to the provincials this year. However, he'll have to work his way to the Labatt Brier to be held in "La Belle Province' for only the fifth time. The organizing commit- tees for both events seem to have all well in hand. If the Tankard and Brier are anything like the ones in Chatham and Edmonton, they'll be a blast. You know Russ Howard is eager to defend the team's world title. At the Royal Navy Club where the reception was held, Russ and I hit the ice with bor- rowed shoes to throw a few rocks. Yes, the ice is already down east. It all came back pretty quick as Russell and I made shot after shot. I guess it's like riding a bike! In the mini-game we played I scored a 6-3 win over Russ. Sorry pal, I had to put that in! Russ wasn't wearing his own shoes and was using one of those dreaded straw brooms. And, I admit, I was a little pumped up playing with the World Champ. However, after only three ends, we had to call it quits and get back to the plane for the ride home. I almost had to pull Russ off the ice, he didn't want to | leave. I even heard him say, "This is just as good as sex," as he was hoofing rocks. Well, at least you know he's got his priorities set as the skip prepares to defeat all challengers on his teams f world championship crown. liked it so well he didn't want to leave. Russ will be in action at Toronto's Avonlea Club next Tuesday against Ed Lukowich as a preliminary to the Olym- took a few moments out and borrowed a pic Games. pair of curling shoes fo try out the ice. He Compare: The financing. The product. The know how. Check us out! Call 1-800-461-5411 CAN-SAVE SUPPLY & DISTRIBUTION (O1B 505867 Ontario Limited) tN, i rere LOLOL OPE AMO LAE ROME LLL OLDE LM MLO AWM LWW YO LMG, SIMCOE COUNTY'S ONLY AUTHORIZED INSTALLER OF REPLACEMENT WINDOWS & DOORS ror = Ah Consumers Gas 1-800-461-5411 14 TRUMAN RD., BARRIE Tuesday, September 29, 1987, Page 23