National Softball CHCH. CLUB IS SHARING LEAD

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31007, 12 March 1966, Page 13

National Softball CHCH. CLUB IS SHARING LEAD

(Neu> Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON.

Broadway (Wellington) and Monowai (Christchurch) —the two top contenders for the national women’s softball trophy, the Dustin Cup—were both fully extended on the first day of play at Hataitai Park yesterday.

After being six runs down. Broadway fought back to beat’ Melville (Hamilton) by one. run in the second round. Monowai had some anxious! moments against Eden-Roskill (Auckland) in the thirds round before finally running out an easy winner. The disappointing form of I the New Zealand representative pitcher, B. Makinson, was a major problem for Mono- ; wai. The favourite, Monowai; had no trouble defeating its] fellow Canterbury club, Avon, j by 12-2. Avon was handicap-' ped by having to play a make-1 shift pitcher. H. Williams,! who is normally on third. Tenacious Melville The surprising tenacity of j Melville almost caused an. upset when its ambitious’ play troubled Broadway to

i.take an 8-7 victory. Broadt way, 1-0 in the first, was suddenly under pressure when i Melville scored seven runs in > jthe second innings. 1 1 Broadway fought back 1 ' splendidly, scoring two in the ! I third and four in the ! fifth .and the game was clinched with two in the •sixth. ’! Monowai, 7-1 ahead in the ’ i second, was surprised by . ;Eden-Roskill in the third j when five runs narrowed the ’■gap. However, Monowai pull’j ed away with another four '[in the fourth and finally ’ [ clinched the game, 15-7. Round One.—Eden-Roskill 9. Saints S: Monowai 12. Avon 2: Broadway 9. Melville 8. . Round' Two.—Monowai 11, Saints 4; Broadway 16, Avon 2; I, Melville 9, Eden-RosklTl 4. Round Three. —Broadway 15, ‘lSaints 13: Melville 16. Avon 4; H Monowai 15, Eden-Roskill 7.

Ellesmere Xl.— The Ellesmere cricket team to play Malvern and Leeston on March 15 is:— J. Lay (captain), D. Mcßae. B. Free, R. Taylor, M. Barclay, J. Meyer, R. Brown, W. Scott. A. Grayburn. R. Kerr, T. McGlinchy and M. Moorhead.

Tour Selectors.— The selection panel for all matches on the New Zealand women’s cricket team in England will comprise the captain, P. McKelvey, the vice-captain, B. Bretnall, and P. Blackler.