2/3 December. Auckland fastpitch softball fixtures
December 2, 2006
Auckland, NZ
2/3 December. Auckland fastpitch softball fixtures
Saturday: Men: Ramblers 10 Otahuhu 1, Royal Canin Bears 6 Marist 1, Metro 9 Artizan Glenora 1, Northcote 8 Newcastle Homes Howick 6, AucklandUnited 4 Te Atatu Roosters 3.
Points: Ramblers 1 (8 games), Bears 14 (9), Metro 12 (7), United 10 (7),Northcote 10 (8), Howick 6 (8), Marist 4 (8), Otahuhu 2 (6), Roosters 2(8), Glenora 0 (7)
Women: Bears 3 Marist 1, Howick 12 Otahuhu 7, Northcote 15 Howick 3.
Points: Northcote 16 (10), Marist 12 (8), Bears 12 (9), Howick 4 (9),Otahuhu 0 (8).
A disastrous seventh inning collapse ruined Otahuhu's chancefor a respectable score against unbeaten champion side Ramblers atSturges Park yesterday. Seven runs scored, making a lopsided result whichdid not reflect the ability of the side and its pitcher TaikiApu.
A huge home run from Lawrence Naera opened the scoring withOtahuhu tying with another from Alex Katene. Further Ramblers' home runscame from Adam Carter and Nathan Nukunuku, who hit another in the last,along with Naera's second shot over the fence.
But Ramblers' big advantage came from the determination ofone player not to wear a cap. He lost the ball in the sun and the runavalanche started at the top of the seventh. There was another error inthe outfield, aggravated by the sun, and the runs poured home, withNaera's shot bringing in three, two of them unearned.
Pitcher John Hireme celebrated his win with three hits and awalk from four turns to take the place of the normal batting masterLyndon Andrew, who is in Canberra. Hireme allowed only three hits butonly a superb catch by Michael Gibbs saved Raka Repia's shot from goingover the fence. Kirby Roper, in his first top game, took three difficultleft field catches, facing the wind and bright sun, and also snapped outa fine right field drive.
Waitakere Bears popped into second place after the win overMarist, but lost snappy shortstop Gordon Hooper with a badly twisted leg.Hooper ended up in hospital.
Metro maintained the pace against bottom side Glenora whileUnited stayed in the race with another win, over Te Atatu Roosters,building on two fine shots from Ben Enoka, who hit a double and a homerun.
Howick's run of three wins ended with a narrow defeat byNorthcote in a game which saw the ejection of Howick coach Lance Croawellbut the Howick women took every advantage of Otahuhu errors to take theside's second win of the season, even if it crashed to leader Northcotein the second game.
Bears, on the improving scale all season, proved worthychallengers to Northcote with a 3-1 win over Marist. Bears is set tocontinue this form with a lively and determined squad.
http://www.softball.org.nz/
* Email:snz@softball.org.nz
Cheers Vance
Softball New Zealand web master.
* Email:vanf@ihug.co.nz
