Nelson undefeated on way to title
Nelson’s under-15 softball team have emerged as the undefeated South Island champions following a 6-4 win over Marlborough in the tournament final yesterday.
No team could topple the Nelson side in nine games over the fourday tournament at Ellis Park in Dunedin.
The eight-time defending champion Cantabrians were vanquished twice en route to victory, and the final was an all top-of-thesouth affair against Marlborough.
Coach Stu Power said that it was an all-for-one team mentality that won them the under-15 South Island title. Power said the ability to come together with one common goal, really showed through when they were behind in the final.
‘‘We were 4-2 down at the bottom of the fifth innings against Marlborough,’’ said Power.
‘‘It was very tense, especially when we got behind, but they just pulled together and batted their way out of it.
‘‘They didn’t panic, if they got behind, they knew they could get out of it.’’
Power said the team effort set them apart. ‘‘They gelled well, they were probably the only team down here that played as a team.’’
The under-15 tournament was the first of several national agegrade tournaments to be played around the country over the coming months.
Saxton Ballpark in Nelson will be the venue for the nation under17 championships starting on Thursday.
Three members of the successful under-15 side have been picked for the under-17 nationals, so will bring that winning form and feeling with them.
Nelson’s under-15 campaign in Dunedin started with a 12-5 win over Southland. Then came the team’s title-winning barometer, a game against Canterbury, who had dominated for the last eight years. The young Nelson team accounted for Canterbury 12-2 in four innings.
By the end of play on day two the boys qualified for the playoffs as the No 1 ranked team, going through round robin play unbeaten. On day two Nelson played the home teams and met Marlborough for the first time.
Central Otago proved a tough challenge, which Nelson overcame 15-10, while Marlborough were beaten 11-4 and Otago 14-7.
Post-round-robin play
began against Southland on Saturday. In the first inning, Nelson scored six runs and when Southland got a chance to reply, Nelson had them out – three up, three down. Nelson earned a 14-2 victory in four innings.
In their second game against Otago, Nelson went 2-0 down after the first innings. That was the only scoring Otago managed as Nelson claimed an 11-2 victory.
With the two wins, Nelson took top spot in the semifinals, earning a playoff against Canterbury.
The pressure was on for Nelson and Canterbury did everything they could to spoil. A comedy of errors in the fifth innings nearly cost Nelson the game when Canterbury got within one run.
Nelson then deliberately loaded the bases to end the inning and the game with a catch in the outfield.
Nelson won their semifinal 7-6, claiming their second win over Canterbury and a place in the final. Nelson: Nick Du Feu, Riley Power, Charlie Scott, Cole James, Gavin Peattie, Tyler Power, Caleb Mazure, Josh McPherson, Harrison Mallabar, Josh Kelly, Mardi McBride, Josh Grant. Coach Stu Power, assistant coach Sam Miller and manager Tui Fisher. Boys in tournament team: Riley Power, Mardi McBride and Tyler Power, tournament team coach Stu Power, manager Tui Fisher.