Giants aim to take final step

Giants are wanting to break a habit when they contest the Lion Red Classic men's softball tournament in Hawke's Bay this weekend.
Second placing in this event has been a regular occurrence for Giants over the past four years and pitcher Ritchie Clarke says they are determined to go one better on this occasion.
"We want to win this one..........it's about time we got to the top spot," Clarke said yesterday.
Giants are drawn to play two Hawke's Bay-based teams in Fast Pitch and Saints tomorrow along with Dodgers from Hutt Valley and then on Sunday they will meet Johnsonville and another Hawke's Bay side in Pumas.
The leading qualifier from round robin play will automatically go through to the final with the second and third-placed sides playing off for the right to meet them there.
Clarke said tournaments of this kind usually fall to the side who produce the most consistent softball over the two days and who have the fitness levels needed to cope with such a busy schedule.
"It's no good playing well on day one and then dropping the standards on day two, every match is important," he said.
Giants have "picked up" two players from outside clubs to boost their chances of success this weekend. Cardinals pitcher Jerol Lajpold will join Clarke and Justin Karaitiana to give them strength in depth in that vital department while Hutt Valley Marist catcher Scott Easthope will share those duties with the promising Campbell Gaunt.
Karaitina will also be expected to be a major force in the batting sphere, along with a couple of other locals in Ryan Shannahan and Blair Thompson.