Nelson, NZ - Ramblers and Dodgers through to NZ men's open club softball championships semis
When Black Sox captain Nathan Nukunuku smashed an early homer out of the park you could sense Ramblers had their swagger back.
The Auckland side were stunned by 16th seeds Johnsonville during pool play but returned to Saxton Ballpark in Nelson on Friday looking like a team ready to fight for the New Zealand men's open club softball championships title they last won just two years ago.
                               PHILLIP ROLLO/FAIRFAX NZ
Eden Roskill's Taiki Apu in action during their top eight clash against Albion at the New Zealand open men's club softball championships at Saxton Ballpark in Nelson.
ORIGINAL STORY by Phillip Rollo
When Black Sox captain Nathan Nukunuku smashed an early homer out of the park you could sense Ramblers had their swagger back.
The Auckland side were stunned by 16th seeds Johnsonville during pool play but returned to Saxton Ballpark in Nelson on Friday looking like a team ready to fight for the New Zealand men's open club softball championships title they last won just two years ago.
 
Poneke Kilbirnie's Marty Grant in action during the New Zealand open men's club softball championships at Saxton Ballpark in Nelson.
With Japanese international pitcher Kenzo Okazaki showcasing his talents with the ball and Nukunuku leading the way with the bat, Ramblers breezed past Auckland United 4-1 and Poneke Kilbirnie (PK) 4-0 to book their place in the semifinals with a game to spare in Group A.
The number one seeds showed real hunger as they look to end the 2015/16 season with some silverware following a disappointing conclusion to their Auckland campaign, which saw them place third.
READ MORE:
*Â Johnsonville down top seeds
*Â Grant makes special cameo for PK
*Â Albion win Canterbury title
The five-day national tournament is currently at the top eight stage which sees eight teams split into two different groups. The top two from each group will progress into the sudden death semifinals on Saturday evening.
There's still two teams from Group A in the running for remaining playoff spot, with Auckland United and PK to meet on Saturday after both teams ended day three with wins over Auckland Marist and defeats against Ramblers.
Auckland Marist appear out of the running after dropping both their games on Friday, and face Ramblers in their final Group A match.
Over in Group B, Hutt Valley Dodgers have booked their place in the semifinals after two memorable victories on Friday.
The recently crowned Wellington inter-city champions handed defending champions Albion their first defeat of the tournament, winning 3-0, after earlier accounting for Johnsonville 4-1.
Albion, who have Black Sox pitchers Penese Iofeso and Kurt Schollum in their arsenal, have to beat Johnsonville to stay alive in the competition while surprise package Eden-Roskill, led by the versatile Taiki Apu, will meet the Dodgers in their final Group B match and still have a chance of progressing after beating Johnsonville 3-2.Â
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AT A GLANCE
Group A:Â Ramblers 4 Auckland United 1, Ramblers 4 Poneke Kilbirnie 0, Auckland United 5 Auckland Marist 4, Poneke Kilbirnie 13Â Auckland Marist 4
Group B: Dodgers 3 Albion 0, Dodgers 4 Johnsonville 1, Albion 7 Eden-Roskill 1, Eden-Roskill 3 Johnsonville 2
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 - Stuff
