Giants slaughter Cardinals

The Giants enhanced their chances of qualifying for the semifinals of the Inter City series men's competition when they overwhelmed the Cardinals 8-1 in a catch-up match on Saturday.
The victory left the Giants very much in charge of their own destiny with a win over the Dodgers this coming weekend guaranteeing them a top-four spot.
Pitcher Ritchie Clarke, who along with Blair Thompson missed the Cardinals game because they were representing Hutt Valley at the national interprovincial tournament, is confident what will be a full-strength Giants line-up will turn on the fireworks against the Dodgers combination.
"They need the win as much as we do to make the semis so it should be one hell of a battle," Clarke said. "We are ready for it."
Clarke was pulling no punches though when asked to reflect on Hutt Valley's fourth placing at the nationals.
"I wasn't good," he said. "The batting was very average and I guess the rest of our game wasn't a lot better either."
Never one to talk himself up, Clarke admitted to some satisfaction in being on the mound during the winning performances against Auckland and Hawke's Bay, particularly Auckland, who were among the tournament favourites.
"That was the one match where we played anywhere near our potential, otherwise it was pretty disappointing."