Softball: Wainui win crown after 15-year break

Wainui's return to the women's premier softball competition for the first time in 15 years made further impact yesterday when they won the national club title in Christchurch.

White Sox players Togi Lote and her sister Upu were behind the formation of the team from the Wellington suburb Wainuiomata, and their efforts were richly rewarded.

They beat previously unbeaten Auckland Marist 7-4 in the final.

"Upu and I have always wanted to play for Wainui. In the past we have never had a team to go to so we thought we would start a team," player-coach Togi Lote said.

She said many players in the team lived in the Wainuiomata area or had in the past.

Wainui set the tone for the final when in the bottom of the first inning they scored two runs, with Upu Lote and Trish Hina scoring on a hit to left field by Togi Lote.

Auckland Marist were always on the back foot from there. They pulled one run back in the third inning, but they never had the lead in the game.

"We have all put a lot of time and effort into this team, and the win means a lot to everyone, not just us - our friends and family at home too," Togi Lote said.

Wainui pitcher Trish Hina faced 31 batters, giving up seven hits and two walks while taking three strikeouts. She was also influential with the bat, picking up two hits and one walk in the final.

Wainui claimed the Intercity title in the combined Wellington and Hutt Valley club competition earlier.

Hutt City United put half a century of frustration behind them to win the national men's club championship for the first time.

Hutt City beat Christchurch United 7-2 in the final in Hastings to end the five-day tournament unbeaten.

They were never really tested in the final. They took control in the first inning and never relinquished it.

Chris Telfer scored for Hutt City in the first inning before the team added two in the second inning, two in the fourth and one each in the fifth and sixth. Daniel Milne scored for Christchurch in the fourth and sixth innings.

Black Sox pitcher Jeremy Manley was named the tournament's most valuable player. Manley faced 27 batters in the final, giving up five hits while taking six strikeouts.

Christchurch United's Michael Gaiger faced 31 batters and gave up five hits and three walks while taking two strikeouts.

- NZPA