Visitors take title at Evergreens’ hometown tournament
Wairau Evergreens’ Myrna Joseph taps a bunt which catches fielders and fans off guard during 21-22 March tournament. Photo: Anna Simpson.
True to the spirit of the 43rd annual competition, the New Zealand Women’s Evergreens National Softball Tournament showcased sportsmanship, camaraderie, and a shared love of the sport.
Fourteen teams from across the country played a weekend’s worth of games at Lansdowne Park last Saturday and Sunday.
Marlborough Mayor Nadine Taylor joined the livestream of the finals between Counties Manukau and Hawke’s Bay, in which she announced the players taking the field, and local junior Bobbi Tatana Lloyd threw out the first pitch.
Myrna Joseph, president of the Marlborough Softball Association, called the event “a fun and social occasion — a time to reconnect with friends, enjoy the company of fellow players, and celebrate the great game of softball”.
Counties won the tournament title over runner-up Hawkes Bay. Southland and Wellington placed third and fourth, respectively.
The hometown Wairau Evergreens placed seventh (behind Tauranga and North Marlins), while the Marlborough Evergreens placed 12th (behind Otago, Horowhenua, Whangarei and Whakanui – ahead of Rotorua and Manawatu).
Wairau finished four places higher than last year.
The 2027 tournament will be hosted by Horowhenua in Levin.