Giants determined on Grand Final spot

Cross Country Rentals Giants men's softball coach Tony Nixon is "sick and tired" of his side making it to the playoffs in tournament play but not coming up with the major spoils.
So anything less than a grand finals spot at the Lion Red North Island Classic to be held in Hastings tomorrow and Sunday won't be regarded as acceptable by him.
"We're in with a great chance of going all the way in this one and there is certainly no reason why we shouldn't make the final," Nixon said. "There will be no excuses if we don't at least get that far."
Giants are going into this weekend's play on the back of inter-club matches against Hutt Valley Marist and Hutt City United last evening and Nixon sees that as ideal preparation for the Hastings tourney in which they have been drawn in the same pool as Porirua and two-Hastings based teams, Dodgers and Saints. In the other pool are Johnsonville and locals Fast Pitch and Pumas.
Nixon sees Porirua as the favourites for overall honours but is confident that if Giants happen to meet them in the decider they are capable of an upset.
"We have the ability to beat anyone, that's the truth of it," he said.
Youngsters Campbell Gaunt and Danny Brown will be missing from the Giants squad because they will be travelling with their Wairarapa College side to the national secondary schools tourney to be played in Hamilton next week. Also missing is former Black Sox Malcolm Namana who has a prior commitment in Auckland.
But while their skills will be missed Giants should benefit from acquiring two "loan" players from Hutt City United, catcher Stephen Deans and outfielder Lachie Hook, both of whom are also more than capable in the batting department.