The Dominion Post | Saturday, 11 October 2008
Martin back with PCU
Porirua City United have landed a big fish for the season with Black Sox skipper Jarrad Martin returning to the club after a three-year hiatus.
Martin, 35, is in the twilight of his illustrious career and wanted to spend what will probably be his last club season playing alongside his brother, Haizley.
The infielder spent the past three years commuting from New Plymouth to Auckland to play for North Shore club Northcote, and will do the same this season for Porirua.
Martin, who made his New Zealand debut in 1991, has won three world championships and is targeting a fourth, in next year’s world series in Canada, as the perfect way to sign off from the sport.
“Obviously, it’s an important year for myself and I just felt that it’s possibly my last year playing domestically,” Martin said.
“I thought that if it was going to be my last year I wanted to play with my brother Haizley but also just to get a bit more drive back into my game by coming down and playing with a good competitive team as well.”
Martin trains by himself in New Plymouth, where he works as an electrician and as such didn’t feel it appropriate to captain Porirua, who he thinks have national champions potential this season.
“But obviously I’ll offer my experience, talk a lot and help out where I can.”
The Wellington intercity men’s softball season starts today, but Porirua will have to make do without Martin till Labour weekend.
Last year’s runners-up, PCU have also gained gun pitcher Tane Richardson, who is eyeing a Black Sox recall, to complement the power-hitting Makea brothers, Fabian and Thomas.
Defending champions Hutt City United open their season against Johnsonville at the Polo Ground at 1pm today with a settled lineup from last season, Shane Doherty the only addition of note. Johnsonville, who have gained Junior Black Sox pitcher Sam Bishop from PCU, then play Porirua at 3pm.
Giants open their campaign at home in Masterton as part of a double-header against Hutt Valley Marist.
Miramar have gained former Black Sox pitcher Karl Gollan, while Poneke-Kilbirnie will have under-19 stars Nick Hayes and Corey Timu. Newlands have Frank Pointon, back from pitching his way to a European club championship.
Kapiti welcome back catcher Conrad Bain from the United States, while Hutt Valley Marist, Dodgers and Cardinals have similar squads to last season.