Teams lose players to upcoming worlds

While Mt Albert Ramblers battled to hold out rival Eden Roskill in the Softball Auckland Fastpitch Championship at St Lukes, fellow championship leader Auckland United had few problems beating Howick 6-1 at Fowlds Park.

The two sides, along with North Harbour club Northcote, lead the title race and each coped with the loss of players who were in training camps, preparing for the world championships on the North Shore starting on March 1.

Ramblers stuttered when games resumed after the Christmas break with the young Eden players eager to retain fourth place.

But Ramblers won 1-0 with three of the side’s four hits coming in one innings.

That innings also cost the side young Cameron Maney who broke his ankle trying to stop suddenly after a fine outfield throw from Eden’s Jordan Thorp halted his sprint to score a second run.

Eden

showed

real fighting spirit and introduced youngsters Jarome McKenzie and Mackenzie Thorp to the top grade.

Thorp came in to pitch late in the game and showed that he will be a great addition to the existing two-man Eden pitching attack.

The already crowded season has forced catch-up mid-week matches with big tournaments scheduled in the next month and the shortening of the regular season due to the world series.

Ramblers’ women continued their rise with a solid 6-1 win over Marist to stay in the hunt with Waitakere Bears, Western Magpies and Otahuhu.