Softball tournament a hit with teams
The 35th National Women’s Evergreens Softball Tournament was hosted by Horowhenua at Levin’s Playford Park this month with teams from around the country taking part.
The tournament has long links to the area, having been started by the local women’s Evergreen softball team in 1983, focusing on friendly connections and camaraderie as well as competition, said organising committee member Yvonne Wehipeihana-Wilson.
“Women’s Evergreens Softballers are an absolutely fantastic group,” she said.
“When on the diamond they play hard. Off the diamond they mingle, support each other, sing, and definitely know how to have fun together.”
The tournament kicked off with a karakia, followed by a welcome given by Horowhenua mayor Michael Feyen, who attempted to hit a pitch by the Horowhenua team’s opening pitcher.
Hawke’s Bay won the event overall, playing Wellington in the final.
Horowhenua won one of their six games, and their match against Hawke’s Bay saw them defeated by only two runs.
The local side also won a trophy for being the “friendliest team to play against” which they were pleased about, said Wehipeihana-Wilson.
Wehipeihana-Wilson said the feedback received from visiting teams was positive, and the hosts were congratulated on running a successful tournament.