PK duo earn Black Sox trials

WHAT was already a good season just keeps getting better for Poneke-Kilbirnie players Dante Matakatea and Jovaan Hanley.

The pair were named to attend the Black Sox trials for this year’s world championship.

Hanley, who travels every weekend from Hastings to play for PK, joined the club this year in a bid to improve his game.

‘‘My first thoughts were awesome, one step closer to my all time goal,’’ Hanley said.

Hanley’s inclusion came two weeks after he made a cleansweep of the individual awards at the Poneke-Kilbirnie Classic tournament. He scooped top batter, top pitcher and most valuable player awards, but has been included in the trials as an outfielder.

Matakatea found out about his inclusion after he had helped PK beat Miramar 11-3 in the final of the Wellington competition.

‘‘I just have to put in the hard work. You have to work hard if you want to get anywhere.’’

Other local players included in the trial teams for Hamilton, starting on February 28, were Wayne Laulu, Nik Hayes, Joel Evans, Jerome Raemaki, Joel Evans, Cory Timu, Tyson Byrne and Campbell Makea.

In the men’s intercity competition Hanley, Matakatea, Makea and Raemaki helped PK to their 11th win from 12 games as they beat Johnsonville 7-1 at Hataitai Park on Saturday.

In other men’s games, Hutt Valley Marist and Porirua City United had wins over Miramar 4-1 and Dodgers 5-2 respectively.

In the women’s intercity competition, former White Sox player Charlotte Pointon made an immediate impact for Newlands in just her second game back after a two-year baby break.

Newlands Kilbirnie 11-5 having a hand runs.

‘‘My first game back midweek was a shocker, so I was happy with that,’’ she said. beat Ponekewith Pointon in five of the