An ejection and a late injury forced Hawke's Bay to forfeit their playoff for fourth at the North Island under-15 boys' softball tournament in Whanganui yesterday.
The Tama Houkamau-coached team was leading Hutt Valley 6-1 in the top of the seventh inning when Reihana Wilkie was ejected for taking the catcher out at home plate without attempting to slide. Legend Hanley-Ash then collected a hip injury and had to be taken to hospital.
"We already had a couple of players unable to play with injuries and, because we were left with eight fit players, we were unable to carry on. It was a shame because there was no way Hutt Valley were going to come back from there," Houkamau explained.
There was more bad news for the Bay team at the prizegiving for the four-day tournament. None of the Bay players made the tournament team and only Vaughan Dellow made the rest team.
"I honestly believed more of our players would have been recognised. We punched above our weight all week and at least five of this team will be eligible for this age group next year," Houkamau added.
