Softball: Round two wishlist

By JULIE ASH

Auckland will hope to maintain their unbeaten record tomorrow when they line up in Wanganui in the second weekend of the national women's league.

Tactics Auckland sit at the top of the table after four wins from four matches in last weekend's opening.

With White Sox Michelle Kingi, Carina Hale, Fiona Timu and Kalala Faalogo, the defending champions dismissed competition newcomers Southern Pride 5-0 and 3-0 and the Canterbury Red Hawks 3-1 and 4-1.

This weekend Auckland face the second-placed Hutt Valley Spirit and fourth-placed Central Vikings at Braves Park in Wanganui.

Auckland coach Nardi Leonard says she is excited to see top-class national softball being taken to the smaller regions. The Hutt Valley side, which includes White Sox members Lisa Rhind, Cindy Potae, Angela Stubbs and Zavana Aranga, also made a strong start to the season, beating the Central Vikings twice and Wellington once.

They were beaten by Wellington 13-3 on Saturday but through strong hitting reversed their fortunes the following day, winning 5-4.

In Invercargill tomorrow Southern Pride face Wellington, Wellington then play Canterbury and Canterbury then play Southern Pride.

The following day Wellington play Canterbury, Southern Pride face Wellington and Canterbury meet Southern Pride.