Softball: Marist softballers start well

Auckland softball side Marist made a good start to the New Zealand men's open softball championships in Christchurch yesterday with two wins from as many matches.

Marist had to extinguish a late rally to beat Miramar 10-5. They then downed Christchurch Cardinals 7-2, despite being out-hit 7-6.

The Cardinals did not help themselves, with three fielding errors and six runners left on base.

Donny Hale, Patrick Shannon and Jonny Smith all hit home runs against Miramar, while Taifau Matai and Travis Allan both had two hits against Cardinals.

But ex-rugby star Jeremy Stanley was hitless through seven turns at bat on day one.

Defending champions Poneke Kilbirnie, from Wellington, also won two from two, beating Otago's Commercial Cardinals 12-0 and Royals, from Christchurch, 14-0.

Another strong title contender, Hutt Cardinals, also made a winning start, beating Richmond, from Canterbury, 7-2, Mark Sorenson picking up three hits.

Darren Rea was on the mound for Cardinals and gave up seven hits, but his role this week will be as a back-up to Black Sox star Paul Algar, who has joined Cardinals for the tournament.

The Royals team from Wellington suffered two hefty defeats, 0-10 by Christchurch United and 1-9 by Mt Albert Ramblers.

Johnsonville trailed Papanui 2-6 in their first game before coming back to win 8-6.

Realm Miramar were beaten 10-5 by Auckland side Main Shuttles Marist, but bounced back to edge out St George 6-5 in the afternoon.

Hutt City United opened with a 9-5 win over Papanui.