Softball: Pride face big weekend

Southern pride coach Glen Roff feels a little bit anxious going into this weekend's round of the national men's league.

After claiming two wins over Hutt Valley in the opening round last weekend, Southern Pride have a rather daunting challenge ahead against first and second placed Wellington and Auckland at Auckland's Norana Park.

"It wouldn't be so bad if we had one of them and a lesser team in the same weekend but to have four games against those two is tough," Roff said.

Auckland had an indifferent start, losing to North Harbour and the Central Vikings last Saturday before beating them on Sunday.

The reason for Saturday's showing was partly due to the wedding of Aucklanders Kalala Faalogo and Roman Gabriel that left the team a bit depleted.

Defending champions Wellington picked up four wins from four games.

Southern Pride have seen their ranks boosted, partly thanks to Canterbury's withdrawal from the league. They picked up former Black Sox pitcher Michael Gaiger, Gareth Cook and Scott Dale.

In other league matches at Norana Ave this weekend, Auckland face Wellington today and tomorrow. Hutt Valley, the Central Vikings and North Harbour are all playing in Palmerston North.

In the women's competition there are four matches with the Central Vikings playing the Southern Pride twice in Nelson today. The Southern Pride are back in action tomorrow, squaring off against Hutt Valley twice in Nelson.