Softballers third in Jefferies Cup

Marlborough’s return to the Jefferies Cup has been hailed a success, the senior men’s rep side finishing third in the South Island provincial tournament at Christchurch’s Dynasty Ballpark over the weekend.

It has been five seasons since Marlborough last fielded a side at the prestigious tournament, for a variety of reasons, but a collection of local club players decided to put a team together this year, intent on measuring themselves against the best the Mainland had to offer.

Five teams – Canterbury Red Sox, Otago, Southland, South Canterbury and Marlborough – contested the Cup competition, which was played in a round robin format followed by a straight 1 v 2 final to decide the winner.

On Saturday, Marlborough started their campaign against Southland, winning 3-2 in a thriller, a victory that set the lads from the top of the south up for their top three finish.

Marlborough started strongly against the Southlanders, leading 2-0 after stringing some hits together in the bottom of the first inning.

Southland levelled at 2-2 in the sixth but Marlborough lifted their game in the field, holding them to just two runs before scoring the decisive run in the bottom of the seventh and final inning. Anaru Anderson was walked, along with Koki Hoshi, then Braden Healy hit a single to bring Anderson home and end the game.

Later in the day they took on another southern side, the classy Otago outfit, and, although they managed to hold the Blue and Golds to three runs, Marlborough were unable to put any runs on the board against a consistent pitching and fielding effort, led by hurler Mitchell Finney.

On Sunday morning, Marlborough scored a decisive 10-3 win over South Canterbury to cement third position, with the side batting well throughout the order.

Their final hit-out, against the Red Sox, had nothing riding on it with final positions already sealed, and was won 15-0 by the eventual champions, who went on to beat Otago in the afternoon’s final.

Will Macdonald did the majority of the pitching for Marlborough with back up from Rawiri Bird.

Team spokesman Healy said he was “super stoked” by the team’s performance.

“I was just happy to be back there in the first place, but to get a couple of big wins made it all worthwhile.

“It was a real team effort, everyone stood out at various times,” said Braden.

“It is a great thing to get Marlborough back up on that stage. We could have easily gone down there and come last … we not only came third but we also have big plans … so the goal is to see ourselves in the final in the next few years,” he added.

The Marlborough team: Braden Healy, Anaru Anderson, Dane Gill, Tyler Bird, Rawiri Bird, Will Macdonald, Sam Kenny, Blake Wisdom, Koki Hoshi, Drew Roberts, Callum Hayton. Coach: Steve Gill.