Masterton-based Giants have had their semi-final match with Cardinals in the Hutt Valley premier division men's softball competition rescheduled. It will now be played at Fraser Park next Thursday and will be followed almost immediately by a crucial Inter-City series top six playoff match with Hutt City United.Giants coach Tony
Nixon admits a double header of that magnitude will fully extend the mental and physical capabilities of his side but believes they will still give a strong account of themselves in both games.
"They are very important games in the context of the whole season so motivation won't be a problem," he said. "It's a big ask but we can cope with it."
Giants won the Hutt Valley premier division title for the first time ever last season and win over Cardinals would see them straight through to the final in 2007. But if they lose they will need to win a repechage match against the winner of the other semi-final, which will be contested by Hutt City United and Marist, to make the competition decider.
"We want to take the shortest route to the final??..that's the priority at this stage," Nixon said.
Giants have never made the semi-finals of the Inter-City series and to do that will probably need to win at least three of their top six playoff games. They won the first of those matches against Royals a couple of weeks back and victories over Porirua on Saturday and then Hutt City United next Thursday would make them safe. Porirua are the Inter-City favourites and with perhaps the best hitter in world softball in Thomas Makea leading their charge Giants will have to be right at their best to claim their scalp. However, the last time the two teams met Giants prevailed 5-4 and Nixon is confident they can repeat that result this time round.
"We know we can beat them if we do the basics well," he said. "They will capitalise on any mistakes and that's what we have to avoid."
The absence of Gordon Wilmshurst through work commitments is a blow in that he is one of Giants most powerful strikers but Nixon says the depth of talent in that department is such that they should still acquit themselves well there.
