Giants are in two minds going into their Hutt Valley President's grade top four men's softball match with Hutt Valley Marist at South Park, Masterton, tomorrow.
With both sides already qualified to contest the grand final in the Hutt next weekend, Giants will have to decide whether to gain an edge by beating HMV by a wide margin or whether to keep their cards closer to the chest and rest some of their key players.
Coach Allan Clarke said yesterday which of the two options would be taken would be decided closer to match time although he admitted he was giving serious thought to using star pitcher Tony Nixon only as a batter and outfielder on this occasion.
"Maybe we'll give Tony the chance to rest his throwing arm ... and then maybe we won't," the wily Clarke said.
Even if Nixon doesn't pitch, Giants are in the happy position of having a more-than-adequate replacement in Ray Stratford, who has done an excellent job whenever he has stepped into the breach this season as evidenced by Giants's unbeaten record.