Don't expect Giants to lose any sleep over their 6-2 beating by Hutt Valley Marist in their Hutt Valley President's grade men's softball match at South Park, Masterton, on Saturday.
With the same two sides set to meet in the grand final in the Hutt this weekend Giants went into the match determined to use it as a decent training run more than anything else and coach Allan Clarke was "very satisfied" with what transpired.
"It was our first competition game for three weeks so the main thing was to get the guys back in the swing of things, we weren't too worried about the end result at all," Clarke said. "Yes, we lost by four but we created enough scoring chances to be happy with how things went."
Giants, who were experiencing their first loss of the season and who had beaten HVM 4-2 the last time they met, were also without two of their key players, first string pitcher Tony Nixon and gun batter Richard Carroll. Nixon was on hand but spent the match umpiring at first base in what was a deliberate ploy by Giants to keep him fresh for the big one this weekend.
"We didn't want to give them a good look at Tony so close to the final," Clarke said, admitting he was surprised that Hutt Valley Marist played their No1 pitcher, former Wellington representative Paul Marsh. He was in top form too, keeping the strong Giants batting line-up under wraps through most of the match, but Clarke believes his players will be better prepared to take him on this weekend.