Karaitiana duo cap victory

A superb batting effort paved the way for Cross Country Rentals Giants' decisive 11-4 win over Cardinals in their opening Inter-City series men's softball match played at South Park, Masterton, on Saturday.
Cardinals started strongly by registering three runs at their first turn at bat but Giants responded well by levelling things up at 3-3 soon after and from that point on the consistency of their batting enabled them to take control.
The Karaitiana brothers, Justin and Corie, struck home runs for Giants and also putting bat to ball with telling effect were national age group representative Campbell Gaunt and Ryan Shannahan, both of whom recorded a couple of safe hits. Giants were impressive in the field too with pitcher Ritchie Clarke setting the standards.