Hutt Valley are no easy beats in the men’s competition in the national fastpitch softball tournament at North Shore’s Rosedale Park – and they have a trophy to prove it.
The trophy is the Jimmy Cotter Memorial, which was at stake on the first occasion they faced Auckland at the national tournament. They today beat Auckland 5-3 to end the northerners’ unbeaten run at the tournament.
However, Hutt Valley were unable to continue their winning form after going down 1-4 to Canterbury later in the day, while at the same time Auckland bounced back from their earlier disappointment to beat Southern Pride 8-4.
Newcomers Hawke’s Bay beat North Harbour 2-1 while defending champions Wellington showed no mercy toward the inexperienced Southern Pride team, scoring 12 runs in the first inning to set up a 17-2 win in just three innings.
Standout performers for the Wellington side included Gene Lutton and Sam Bishop who scored twice in that first inning onslaught.
Wellington also beat North Harbour 4-3 to complete a miserable day for the hosts.
In the women’s competition, Wellington showed they are a force by beating Canterbury 6-3 and then backing up to upset the more fancied Auckland team 5-3.
Defending champions Hutt Valley continued to show their class, beating Southern Pride 10-0.
The finals of the tournament will be played on Sunday.
Results:
Men: Canterbury 8 Hawke’s Bay 0, Wellington 17 Southern Pride 2, Hawke’s Bay 2 North Harbour 1, Hutt Valley 5 Auckland 3, Wellington 4 North Harbour 3, Auckland 8 Southern Pride 4, Canterbury 4 Hutt Valley 1.
Women: Wellington 6 Canterbury 3, Auckland 14 Southern Pride 3, Wellington 5 Canterbury 3, Hutt Valley 10 Southern Pride 0.