Softball women create history

The Marlborough women’s senior representative side made history in Palmerston North on Sunday, becoming the first women’s side from this region to reach a national provincial final.

Marlborough were competing in the national Heartland championships, the first time in 25 years a women’s rep side had done so, and they made it all the way to Sunday’s decider.

At Colquhoun Park, they took on the home side, Manawatu, and despite losing 9-1 the Marlborough team celebrated putting their province firmly on the softball map.

To get to the final they faced a series of round-robin games. First-up they beat Western Bay of Plenty 13-7, then went down to Whanganui 11-4. Two wins were required to book a semifinal spot and they were achieved, beating Rotorua 7-0 and Manawatu 9-8 in a thriller.

Having already qualified in third position for the play-offs Marlborough went down to top qualifier North Harbour 19-1 in their final round robin clash.

However, they were back at full strength for the semifinal, downing Whanganui 11-1 in five innings to book a place in the final.

With Manawatu beating North Harbour in the other semi, Marlborough faced the home side in the final, a battle between the third and fourth qualifiers.

“In the final both teams were hitting the ball really hard,” said head coach Lawrence Allen. “We were hitting it well but straight to gloves while they found the gaps and they were deserved winners.

“It was a really good tournament. There were top-quality players there, under-19 national pitchers, it was certainly well worth going to.

“With six teams there we set ourselves a goal of making the top four and when we did we reset our goals, targeting teams, and our plan worked. The Whanganui semifinal was our game of the tournament.

“It is the first time a Marlborough provincial women’s team has made a national final and we will be back next year to go one step better,” added Lawrence.

Several players stood out for Marlborough, including 18-year-old pitcher Bailey Symons, a pick-up player from Hutt Valley who was named top pitcher at the tournament.

Lead-off batter Sommer Bauman and Leah Waddington both featured on the leading batting stats early on, while Matangihau Nuku, another pick-up player, Wiri Bristowe and Sharae Sinclair were among the side’s top batters. Mallory Barrett-Rawiri was the team’s designated runner and did a sterling job, helping Marlborough create scoring opportunities with stolen bases and speed around the plates.

The Marlborough line-up: Sommer Bauman, Bailey Symons, Matangihau Nuku, Pera Wills, Wiri Bristowe, Dalma Villaverde, Sharae Sinclair, Leah Waddington, Ivy Toa, Mallory Barrett-Rawiri, Amy Grant, Caroline Aberhart. Coach: Lawrence Allen; asst coach: Lisa Stove; manager: Myrna Joseph; scorer: Lynne Grant.

Upcoming

Marlborough will be well represented at the National Fastpitch Championship, commencing on Thursday February 20 in Lower Hutt.

In the Southern Pride men's team are Braden Healy, Anaru Anderson, Blake Wisdom, Koki Hoshi and Drew Roberts while Kyla Thorstensen will play for the Counties Manukau women's team.