Cap tip, Bob Henning.
Wellington side in total control
CAROL COOK – The Nelson Mail
Photo: HOME SAFE: Poneke Kilbirnie’s Craig Wallace scores against PCU catcher Josh Thomson by sliding under the tag and driving him off home plate.
Although Parklands Christchurch United accounted for Poneke Kilbirnie 3-1 on Sunday and backed this up with a 3-0 win in yesterday’s playoffs, it counted for nothing when the teams faced off in the final of the Stoke Eagles GJ Gardner Homes Fast Pitch softball tournament at Saxton Field.
Poneke Kilbirnie made an aggressive start, posting four runs in the first innings, while the PCU Devils could only reply with a solitary run.
Poneke Kilbirnie’s pitcher, Thomas Cameron, commanded the mound as well as being influential with the bat.
Devils hurler Regan Manley had previously contained the Wellington offence, but he gave up 14 safe hits in the final, with PK’s full roster coming to the party.
After a number of tight and even contests, the final did not live up to expectations. PK were in total control after their first at bat and went on to add a four further runs for a comprehensive 8-1 win.
The Devils had gone through five games unbeaten but came up well short in the game that counted most. They would have felt happy with their overall performance, though, given that they were without four of their starting lineup for the decider.
The tournament gave the Devils’ bench players an opportunity for more time on the diamond.
Poneke Kilbirnie recorded a convincing 10-2 win over Papanui to reach the final.
Recently selected Black Sox player Daniel Tarapi had a strong batting game for a 1000 average, including an automatic home run.
Cameron went three from four, which also included a home run.
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It was a clean sweep for Cameron in the individual awards, taking out the top batter (with a .520 average), top pitcher and Most Valuable Player titles.
TOURNAMENT TEAM
The Nelson Building Society Tournament team is:
Pitchers: Cameron (PK), Manley (PCU);
catcher: Josh Thomson (PCU);
infielders: Tom Arps (Stoke Eagles), Gareth Cook (PCU), Craig Wallace (PK), Steve McFarlane (PCU), Jerome Rameki (PK), Paul de Lautour (PCU); outfielders: Brad Annandale (PCU), Jarred Tibbits (PK), Carl McIlroy (Papanui), Daniel Tarapi (PK); designated player: Scott Dale (PCU); coach: Thomas Makea (PK)