Softball: Hutt Valley have measure of champions

Hutt Valley showed they were title contenders by beating defending champions Canterbury in a close encounter on day three of the national women's softball tournament in Palmerston North yesterday.

In another day of soaring temperatures, Hutt Valley won 9-8 and looked the better side throughout.

Canterbury then came back ominously with a 10-0 demolition of fellow top-four qualifiers Auckland in just five innings.

Hutt Valley completed their day with a 9-0 win over host team Manawatu to qualify top for today's top-four round-robin series and claim the Bensel Cup for the first-round winner.

Canterbury's rare loss ranked them second, with Auckland and North Harbour making up the top four.

Auckland's 4-2 win over tournament giant-killer Hawkes Bay in yesterday's first game was enough to ensure their place despite losses in their two later games.

North Harbour edged out the unlucky Hawkes Bay side for fourth spot later on by beating them 7-5.