Hometown hopes high on diamond
The Labour Weekend Open hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for the hometown hitters and hurlers.
And once again that doesn’t look like changing.
However, where the Stoke Eagles and United Titans are concerned, just getting the opportunity to play softball against some of the country’s premier clubs in their own backyard, Saxton Ballpark, is a worthwhile exercise at this early stage of the season.
This year a record nine teams will take part in the three-day competition, including defending champions Poneke Kilbirnie (Wellington), Miramar (Wellington), PCU Devils (Christchurch), Papanui Tigers (Christchurch), Albion Anteaters (Christchurch), Halswell Hornets (Christchurch), Saints (Marlborough), Stoke and United.
PK won the 2015 edition of the tournament, Black Sox legend Marty Grant steering the Wellington side to a 7-4 victory over PCU, and they will again be one of the competition favourites.
In each of the past three years, both Nelson teams have struggled to match the visitors. But that is something the coaches of both sides hope will change in 2016.
Stoke coach Stu Power is hoping his team can build on last year’s performance where they won two games, one more than in each of the previous two campaigns.
‘‘My expectation of the boys is for them to finish in the top four, which would be tough goal, but to at least get two or three wins under their belt against some of New Zealand’s top teams which are competing here this weekend,’’ Power said.
Stoke will share the pitching duties between teenagers Josh Kelly and Riley Power, while Nathan Delany and Derryn French bring experience and knowledge to the team and catcher Caleb Delany is an exciting young prospect behind the plate.
Kelly was last week named Tasman secondary schools sportsman of the year after leading Waimea College to the national final.
United player-coach Brayden Reynolds said his team will take a positive approach to the tournament as they look to better last year’s effort where their only win came against the Saints.
‘‘This weekend we have positive expectations for the boys and are backing our defensive team,’’ Reynolds said.
United have strengthened their squad by bringing Cameron Durkin (Wellington) and Anaru Anderson (Marlborough) in from out of town, with Durkin expected to share the pitching duties with regular Alister Ching.
Nick Max and Dominic Mahutu-Mason will once again be key players for the side.
The tournament gets under way tomorrow morning with the final scheduled for 1.45pm on Monday.