A combination of near perfect pitching and one massive hit has helped Wellington softball team Poneke-Kilbirnie win their eighth national open club title – and their first in seven years.
The side beat Christchurch’s PCU Devils 2-0 in the final here yesterday, with national representatives Thomas Cameron and Thomas Makea both having key roles in the victory.
It was Makea’s hit which came off the second pitch of the game that set his side away, with the hit clearing the outfield fence.
While Makea got his side off to a dream start, Cameron was causing all sorts of nightmares for the Devils batters with the only blemishes next to his name being the three walks he conceded.
“We knew we had to stay tough,” Makea said.
“They are a very tough side and we knew if we kept making our plays and just did the basics then we would come out on top.”
The Devils entered the final as the only unbeaten team at the tournament. Click here or logo for the complete news story.
Scoreboard
Results from the national open club softball tournaments yesterday:
Men, at Wellington: Poneke-Kilbirnie 5 Miramar 1, Auckland United 2 Northcote 0, Bears 9 Auckland Marist 5, Howick 2 Johnsonville 1, HV Dodgers 1 Roosters 0, Giants 7 Fastpitch 6, Papanui 4 Hutt Valley Marist 2, Poneke-Kilbirnie 2 PCU Devils 0.
Women, at Auckland: Otahuhu 4 Ramblers 2, Saints 4 Metro 1, Newlands 8 Auckland Marist 3, Magpies 4 Johnsonville 0, Newlands 6 Howick 1 Te Aroha 3 Otahuhu 2.